IlIBRARY OF CONGRESS.^ 

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1 UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. ^ 



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SAVAJNNi 
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SAVANNAH 

STEAMSHIP ROUTE 
AND CONNECTIONS. 



i^i2*K^ft«n|d by f\it A Rbm»I1, y.TqA 







Frontispiece. 



WINTER HOME PN THE ST. JOHN'S, 






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NEW YORK : 
THE AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY, 

NASSAU STEIEET, NEW YORK. 

1875. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the yeax 1873, by 
EDWAED O. JENKINS, |^_ 7 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Waehington, D. C. 






CONTENTS 





PAaB. 


Florida— Its Discovery. 


7 


De Ayllon — Narvaez — Nunez De Vaca. . 


11 


De Narvaez— 1528. . . . . 


. 13 


Hernando De Soto. . . , 


20 


Don Tristan De Luna — 1559. . , , 


. 41 


The Huguenot Settlements— 1562 


43 


De Gourges. . . . , 


. 52 


Florida ; Its Geography and Climate, etc. 


60 


ClimatOo . . . . . 


. 63 


How to Eeaeh Florida. . , . 


65 


Charieston . . . . , 


. 69 


Objects of Interest. . . , 


73 


Savannah. . . . , « 


. 78 


Fernandina. . • . • 


85 


St. John's Eiver. . . • . 


. 86 


Jacksonville. .... 


87 


St. John's Eiver. . . • . 


. 90 


Mandarin. . , • • . 


91 


Hibernia. . , , . • 


. 93 


Magnolia. .... 


92 


Green Cove Springs . . . 


. 93 


Picolata. . • • • 


93 


Tocoi. . • • . . 


. 94 


Orange MiUs. .... 


94 


Palatka. o « . . . 


. 94 


Enterprise. . . . . 


97 


Mellonville. , . • • . . 


. 99 


Sanford. . . . . 


100 


St. Augustine. . . . . 


. 103 


Ocklawaha Eiver, .... 


. 116 






GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



FLORIDA — ITS DISCOVERY. 

Had Christopher Columbus, on leaving the 
Island of San Salvador, proceeded Westward, 
he would have ultimately discovered the 
coast of Florida ; for the Gulf Stream, then an 
unknown power, would have swept him to 
the Northward — the difference of Latitude re- 
quired for the purpose. But, influenced by 
the description of the natives, of a land of 
wealth bearing to the southward, he directed 
his prow thither, and brought up on the coast 
Cuba. Thus was reserved to one of Colum- 
bus' companions, (Juan Ponce de Leon,) the 
honor of the discovery of the peninsula ; a 
most romantic incident of History. 

In 1 5 12, the brave old soldier. Ponce de 

(7) 



8 GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 

Leon, was Governor of Porto Rico. He had 
carved his way to glory and wealth, but never- 
theless aspired to equal Columbus in renown, 
and for that purpose fitted out an expedition. 

It was whilst discussing the subject with 
his followers, and arguing as to the course to 
be pursued, that an Indian Cacique narrated 
to them a wonderful story; that, not many 
leagues away, towards the setting sun, there 
existed a land of great riches, and exceeding 
all others in beauty of scenery. But, what 
was most extraordinary, it possessed a mar- 
vellous fountain, whose waters had the power 
to renew youth and give vigor to those who 
bathed in or drank them. 

Ponce de Leon had witnessed such wonder- 
ful things in his several voyages, that he was 
prepared to give credence to the most exager- 
ated accounts. 

" What if it should prove true?" soliloquized 
the old warrior, as he listened to the inter- 
preter. 

"And why should it not be ? Have I not 
already discovered marvels, which in my 
youthful days I would have deemed impossible 



_._j 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. g 

as this? Ponce de Leon will, in giving to the 
world a rejuvenating fountain, be entitled to 
greater renown than those who merely gave 
wealth and continents to their sovereigns." , 

An expedition of three vessels was imme- 
diately fitted out and set sail from St. Germain, 
Porto Rico, in March 15 12. Ponce de Leon 
directed its course to the Bahamas. He vis- 
ited the various localities where the fountain 
might be, but his search proved fruitless. 
Island after island was explored, and the 
waters tasted and bathed in, yet the desired 
effect was not produced. Nothing daunted, 
the brave soldier steered to the Westward ; 
and, on Palm Sunday, the Pascua Florida of 
the Spaniards, (27th March, 15 12) he dis- 
covered land ahead — a land of such magnifi- 
cent vegetation and variety of flowers, that 
he gave to it the name it continues to bear — 
Florida. 

On April 2, 15 12, Ponce de Leon disem- 
barked a little to the northward of St. Augus- 
tine, planted a cross, and took possession of 
the country in the name of his sovereign. He 
then turned his attention to the search for the 



lO GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

" Fountain of Youth ;" and, in its absence, 
gold and precious stones. He found neither, 
and two months later returned to Porto Rico. 

In spite of his want of success, De Leon 
made a brilliant report of the value of his 
discovery, and was rewarded by the Crown 
with the title of Adelentado, or Governor of 
Florida ; in return for which he agreed to 
conquer and colonize it. This, however, he 
did not appear in any particular hurry to do ; 
as it was not until nearly ten years later that 
he again set out for the peninsula. 

In the meantime, several explorers had vis- 
ited its shores and described it as a vast con- 
tinent, and not an Island as he supposed it to 
be. At this time, Cortez was in Mexico ; and 
the reports of his conquests and spoils incited 
Ponce de Leon to put on foot a second expe- 
dition, in the hope of meeting with a like suc- 
cess. He sailed, therefore, with two vessel; 
but no sooner had he landed in Florida, than 
he was attacked by the natives with such 
fierceness that, after a severe conflict, the 
Spaniards were compelled to re-embark and 
return to Cuba. Ponce himself received a 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, \\ 

wound, from the effects of which he died, soon 
after reaching the Island. His epitaph was : 
" In this sepulchre rest the bones of a man 
who was a Lion by name, and still m.ore 
by nature." 



DE AYLLON — NARVAEZ — NUNEZ DE VACA. 

Shortly after the death of Ponce de Leon, 
Diego Miruelo, the captain of a small Span- 
ish vessel, being driven by stress of weather 
to the coast of Florida, received from the na- 
tives,in traffic, a quantity of gold and silver. 
With these he returned to St. Domingo ; and 
the accounts he gave of the country he had 
visited caused much excitement on the Island. 
At that time there was, in St. Domingo, a 
company engaged in gold mining, at whose 
head was a distinguished young nobleman 
named Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon. This gen- 
tleman, as will be seen, was possessed of 
keenness and a daring spirit. 

De Ayllon, fearing, no doubt, his annual 
statement for the year 1521, would make but 
a sorry figure, owing to the scarcity of labor 



12 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

on the Island, determined to visit the main- 
land, and secure a couple of cargoes of the 
savages so plausibly described by Miruelo. 

Now, owing to the efforts of Las Casas, the 
Spanish crown had prohibited the enslaving 
of the natives of the New World. This pro- 
hibition, however, did not include the Caribs, 
^\\Q were said to be cannibals. De Ayllon, 
consequently, gave out that the two vessels 
he was fitting out were for the purpose of 
obtaining Caribs ; but, sailing directly to the 
mainland, he was driven by stress of weather 
and the unknown currents further to the 
north than he anticipated, and came to an- 
chor on the coast of what is now South Caro- 
lina, at a place called Chicora, but which he 
named St. Helena. 

Here the Indians at first fled in terror at 
the sight of ships and white men, whom they 
beheld for the first time ; but the Spaniards 
soon quieted their fears; and they returned, 
bringing presents of furs, pearls, and small 
quantities of gold and silver. The Spaniards 
gave them trinkets in return, and invited 
them on board their vessels, to which the 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 13 

confiding natives repaired in considerable 
numbers. Securing- them below the hatches, 
the Spaniards weighed anchor and set sail for 
home. One of the vessels foundered at sea, 
and of the poor captives confined on board of 
the other, the ancient historian says : '■'■ these 
Indians profited them nothing, for they all 
died of care and grief." 

De Ayllon shortly afterwards obtained from 
his sovereign the appointment of Governor 
of Chicora ; he fitted out an expedition of 
three vessels to conquer his new dominion, 
landing near St. Helena. The inhabitants 
received him with apparent cordiality ; but, 
after feasting his soldiers for three days, they 
rose upon them in the night and massacred 
almost the entire force ; including De Ayllon 
himself. 



DE NARVAEZ — 1 5 28. 

The next expedition to Florida was con- 
ducted on a grander scale ; it was led by 
Pamphilo de Narvaez. De Narvaez, who was 
a distinguished soldier, had been sent by Ve- 



H 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



lasquez, the Governor of Cuba, to Mexico, 
with nearly two thousand troops to supersede 
Cortez, whose brilliant career had excited 
the jealousy of the Governor. Instead of 
turning over the command of his three hun- 
dred warriors to Narvaez, Cortez, at night, 
fell upon his rival ; and, after a short struggle, 
in which Narvaez lost an eye, took him pris- 
oner. Then almost the whole of the new 
comers went over to Cortez. 

When, subsequently, Narvaez proceeded to 
Spain, he was consoled by having conferred 
upon him the Governorship of Florida. He 
immediately fitted out an expedition of five 
vessels; and, on April 12th, 1528, landed on 
the west coast of Florida, near what is now 
called Tampa Bay. There he landed three 
hundred men and forty-five horses. Against 
the advice of some of his followers, Narvaez 
determined to at once penetrate the country 
in search of an empire which should rival 
Mexico or Peru. His companions had coun- 
selled their remaining by their ships, and 
coasting along the continent ; but Narvaez 
was not to be moved ; and, after instructing 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



15 



his captains to take the vessels to some con- 
venient harbor to await his arrival, he started 
on his march, in a northerly direction. 

Instead of finding the rich country they 
had fancied, the Spaniards could scarcely 
scrape the wherewith sufficient to keep body 
and soul together ; whilst the natives, differing 
totally from those of Mexico, contested every 
inch of ground, with a desperation that dis- 
couraged and astonished the Spaniards. His- 
tory offers few such records of suffering as 
is narrated in the pages which describe the 
march of Narvaez through Florida. Narvaez 
found nothing but swamps and starvation, 
with hostile Indians on qn^vj hand. After 
losing a large number of his force by sick- 
ness and the arrows of the natives, Narvaez, 
in despair, called a council of his officers. 

His hopes of wealth and conquest were at 
an end ; he sought how best to escape from 
the country before they should all perish. 
Irving says : " To proceed along the coast in 
search of the fleet, or to retrace their steps, 
would be to hazard the lives of all. At length 
it was suggested that they should construct 



1 6 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

small barks, launch them upon the deep, and 
keep along the coast until they should find 
their ships. It was a forlorn hope, but they 
caugiit at it like drowning men. They ac- 
cordingly set to work with great eagerness ; 
One of them constructed a pair of bellows out 
of deer skins, furnishing it with a wooden 
pipe. Others made charcoal and a forge. 
By the aid of these, they soon turned their 
stirrups, spurs, crossbows, and other articles, 
of iron, into nails, saws, and hatchets. The 
tails and manes of the horses, twisted with 
the fibres of the palm-treee, served for rig- 
ging ; their shirts, cut open and sewed to- 
gether, furnished sails ; the fibrous part of the 
palm-tree also was used as oakum ; the resin 
of the pine trees for tar ; the skins of horses 
were made into vessels to contain fresh water ; 
and a quantity of maize was secured, after hard 
fighting with the neighboring natives. A 
horse was killed every three days for pro- 
visions for the laboring hands and the sick." 

Having at length, by great exertions, com- 
pleted five frail barks, on the 22d of Septem- 
ber they embarked from forty to fifty persons 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



17 



in each ; but they were so closely crowded 
that there was scarcely room to move, while 
the gunw^ales of the boats were pressed down 
to the water's edge. Setting sail from this 
bay, which they called the Bay of Caballos, 
they proceeded on, for several days, to an is- 
land, where they secured five canoes, which 
had been deserted by the Indians. These 
having been attached to their barks enabled 
them to sail with greater comfort. They 
passed through the strait between the island 
and the mainland, which they called the Strait 
of San Miguel, and sailed onward, for many 
days enduring the torments of hunger and 
parching thirst. The skins which contained 
their fresh water having burst, several men, 
driven to desperation, drank salt water and 
died miserably. Their sufferings were aggra- 
vated by a fearful storm. 

At length they approached " a more popu- 
lous and fertile part of the coast," upon Avhich 
they landed, occasionally, to procure provi- 
sions ; and were immediately involved in 
blood}^ affrays with the natives. Thus harass- 
ed by sea and land, famishing with hunger, 



1 8 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

their barks shattered and scarcely manage- 
able, these unfortunate wanderers lost all 
presence of mind, and became wild and des- 
perate. They were again driven out seaward, 
and scattered during a stormy night. 

At daybreak three of the tempest-tossed 
barks rejoined each other. In the best-man- 
ned and fastest sailer, was Pamphilo de Nar- 
vaez. Alvar Nunez, who had command of 
another boat, seeing the Adelantado making 
for the land, appealed to him for aid; but 
Narvaez replied, " that it was no longer time 
to help others, but that every one must take 
care of himself" He then steered for the 
land, abandoning Alvar Nunez to his fate. 

After sailing along the coast for man}^ days, 
Narvaez anchored one night off the land. His 
crew, with but two exceptions, had repaired 
on shore, in search of provisions. These two 
were a sailor and a page who were sick. In 
the meantime, a violent northerly gale sprung 
up ; and the boats, in which was neither food 
nor water, were driven to sea. They were 
never heard of afterward, and thus ended the 
ill-fated expedition of Pamphilo de Narvaez. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



19 



Narv^aez had embarked at a point near Ap- 
alachicola Bay, and set out in his frail vessels 
to reach the Spanish Settlements in Mexico, 
under the impression derived from the charts 
of the day, that these were nearer to him 
than the shores of Cuba. The truth, however, 
was, that the latter were scarcely four hun- 
dred miles distant, whilst the nearest Spanish 
settlement was eleven hundred miles away. 
This error doubtless cost him his life. At 
the time of his death, there remained alive 
about one hundred of his followers, but they 
gradually separated ; and, through hunger and 
the arrows of the natives, were reduced to four 
persons — Cabega de Vaca, Treasurer ; Cap- 
tain Alonzo Castillo ; Captain Andreas Doran- 
tes ; and Estevanico, an Arabian Negro or 
Moor. These owed their safety to their being 
considered by the Indians great medicine- 
men. De Vaca, according to an account 
which he published on reaching Spain, had 
performed some remarkable cures, which he 
acknowledged surprised himself. 

Having spent six years with the tribe he 
designates as the Mariannes, De Vaca and his 



20 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

three companions, by that time fully conver- 
sant with the language and customs of the In- 
dians, set forth to attempt the task of reaching 
the Settlements in Mexico. Their experience in 
the healing art did them good service, for by 
it they were enabled to pass through the many 
tribes who occupied the shores of the Gulf of 
Mexico. They crossed the Mississippi, and at 
length reached, in safety, Mexico, from whence 
he returned to Spain, where he published the 
interesting account of his adventures. De 
Vaca was the first white man who traversed 
the Cotton States ; and to him belongs the 
credit of the discovery of the Mississippi, and 
not to De Soto. Narvaez's fleet searched for 
the Governor during the space of a year, and 
then returned to Cuba. 



HERNANDO DE SOTO. 

One would have thought that the sad fate 
of Narvaez would have deterred further ex- 
peditions to Florida ; but such was not the 
case, and the story of the adventures of De 
Vaca, fraught with sufferings, seemed only 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 21 

to stimulate the adventurous spirit of the day. 
It was not the aspiration to glory, but the 
greediness of wealth which inspired those ad- 
venturers. They believed in a continent ex- 
ceeding Mexico or Peru in precious metals, 
and therefore sought it. When Hernando de 
Soto, the companion of Pizarro, announced his 
intention of fitting out an expedition, thou- 
sands flocked to his standard. 

Hernando de Soto belonged to one of the 
noblest families of Spain ; he was born in 1501. 
At an early age, having, as an old Chronicler 
says, but his sword for his estate, he joined 
D'Avilas, who had been made Governor of 
the West Indies. De Soto found favor in the 
eyes of the latter, and, in 1531, was given com- 
mand of a body of men, with whom he joined 
Pizarro, then on his way to the conquest of 
Peru. Pizarro soon recognized in De Soto a 
leading spirit ; he made him second in com- 
mand. Uniting prudence to valor he was ever 
foremost in every struggle, and invariably 
victorious. 

De Soto had the good fortune to capture the 
Inca, an(j to put to flight his forces. The con- 



22 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

quest of Peru achieved, Pizarro would have 
retained De Soto with him, but the latter de- 
termined to return to Spain. This he did in 
1536, carrying with him, as his share of the 
spoils of the Inca, 180,000 crowns of gold. He 
appeared at the court of Charles V., sur- 
rounded by a splendid retinue, creating a 
sensation which made him the lion of the 
hour. His influence at court increased, and 
was strengthened by his marriage with Isa- 
bella de Bobadilla, daughter of De Aviles, one 
of the most powerful nobles of the kingdom. 
It was about that time that De Vaca 
brought to Spain the tidings of the fate of 
Narvaez. De Soto sought De Vaca; and, 
after listening to his narrative, hastened to the 
Emperor, and offered to conquer Florida at 
his own expense. His Majesty was gracious- 
ly pleased to grant the request, and conferred 
upon him the title of Adelantado, in addition 
to that of Governor of Florida and Cuba for 
life. As we have already said, no*sooner was 
it known that De Soto was fitting out an ex- 
pedition, than thousands flocked to his stan- 
dard ; but he chose only the young and vig- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



23 



orous, such as could best endure the hard- 
ships and dangers of the expedition. 

On April 6, 1538, De Soto sailed with a 
fleet of ten vessels. His force consisted of a 
thousand men, commanded by the 61ite of the 
Spanish cavaliers. In the largest vessel, the 
" San Cristoval," a ship of eight hundred 
tons, was the Governor, his wife Dona Isa- 
bel, and his family and retinue. The fleet 
touched the Canary Islands and reached San- 
tiago de Cuba in May. 

De Soto ren\ained in Cuba a year, acclimat- 
ing his forces and obtaining information as to 
the Continent he was about to visit. Indian 
guides from the Florida Coast were obtained, 
and every precaution taken to ensure the suc- 
cess of the enterprise. All being in readi- 
ness, the expedition started in May, 1539; 
and, on the 25th of the same month, disem- 
barked its thousand men and 350 horses at 
Tampa Bay. De Soto remained awhile in 
the vicinity of his landing, endeavoring to 
conciliate Hirrituqua, the powerful Cacique 
of the neighborhood. His efforts proved 
vain— the Chief was obdurate. This can be 



24 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 



readily understood when we know that Nar- 
vaez, in a transport of rage, for a trivial 
cause, had ordered the Cacique's nose to be 
cut off and his mother to be torn by dogs. 

Whilst attempting to negotiate with the 
Chief, De Soto learned that a follower of 
Narvaez was living with a neighboring tribe, 
whose chief was named Mucoso. He was 
greatly pleased with the news, as he fully 
appreciated the importance to the expedition 
of having as guide one who had been living 
m the country ten years, and who was doubt- 
less familiar with the language and customs 
of the natives. De Soto at once set about 
secui'ing the person of Juan Ortiz — such was 
the Spaniard's name ; he accordingly des- 
patched his trusty lieutenant, De Gallegos, 
with a company of lancers, under the guid- 
ance of an Indian, on an embassy to the 
Cacique Mucoso, soliciting the release of 
Ortiz, and inviting the Chief to his camp, 
with promises of friendship and munificent 
rewards. 

In the meantime, Mucoso, learning of De 
Soto's arrival in the neighboring province 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



25 



and fearing that it was his intention to con- 
quer the whole country, despatched Ortiz on 
a mission to the Governor to pray De Soto 
not to lay waste his whole territory, and that 
in return he and his people would be devoted 
to his service. Ortiz, highly pleased with his 
mission, set out, accompanied by a body of 
chosen warriors. They had proceeded but a 
short distance, when, at the edge of a forest, 
they suddenly came upon Gallegos and his 
lancers — the companions of Ortiz retreating 
to the woods ; but Ortiz, forgetting that, with 
quiver at back, a bow and arrov/ in hand, and 
his head adorned with feathers, he differed 
but little from his companions, scorned the 
advice, and marched forth to meet his country- 
men, who, he thought, would recognize him. 
The Spaniards, seeing "the Indians, at once 
charged upon them, driving them to the 
woods, leaving one dead upon the field. 
Ortiz was nearly ridden over by a trooper — 
he cried out lustily, " Seville," at the same 
time making the sign of the cross. The 
Spaniard reined in his horse, and learning he 

had found the object of their search, seized 
2 



26 GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 

Ortiz by the arm, lifting- him upon the croup 
of his saddle, and dashed off with him to 
Galiegos, who returned to De Soto in great 
glee with his prize. The Governor received 
Ortiz in the warmest manner, sympathized 
with his past sufferings, and at once ordered 
him arms, clothing, and a horse. 

Ortiz narrated his experience to De Soto ; it 
was most romantic. It appeared that Nar- 
vaez, upon landing in Florida, sent back to 
Cuba, with despatches, one of his smallest ves- 
sels, upon which was Juan Ortiz — she imme- 
diately returned laden with supplies for the 
forces ; but by that time Narvaez had marched 
into the interior. The Spaniards, from their 
vessel, saw on shore some Indians, who pointed 
to a letter in the end of a cleft stick fixed in 
the earth. Believing it to contain instructions 
from Narvaez, they made signs to the Indians 
to bring it to them, but this they declined 
to do. 

Juan Ortiz and three companions then went 
to the shore in a boat; but were no sooner 
landed than they were in a moment surround- 
ed and hastened awav- The crew of the ves- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA 2/ 

sel, alarmed at the treatment of their ship- 
mates, and the number of the enemy in sight, 
set sail, leaving Ortiz and his companions to 
their fate. By this decoy, the Indians secured 
the captives required to gratify the Cacique's 
revenge upon the Spaniards, for Hirritriqua 
was smarting under the loss of his nose, and was 
ov^erjoyed when the prisoners were brought 
before him. They were placed under a strong 
guard until a festival day, when one by one 
they were made to run the gauntlet, and in 
this way three of them perished miserably. 
Ortiz had been reserved for the last ; and the 
chief, to vary the entertainment, ordered him 
to be bound to a staging of poles, and a fire 
kindled under him. The first part of the order 
had been executed ; and Ortiz, who was then 
but eighteen, was stripped and bound to the 
stake. At that moment, the beautiful daugh- 
ter of the Cacique, who was about the same 
age as Ortiz, saw the dreadful fate of the 
j^outh ; she was moved by compassion ; and, 
throwing herself at her father's feet, begged 
him to spare the stranger's life. Hirritriqua 
granted her request ; and thus Florida 



28 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

possessed a Pocahontas long before Capt. 
John Smith owed his life to that renowned 
maiden. 

But Ortiz led a sorry life of it ; he w^as made 
to labor like a slave, and was subjected to 
cruel treatment. He would have perished 
from starvation, had it not been for food fur- 
nished him by his lovely protector. One night 
the Cacique's daughter came to Ortiz, and 
told him that her father had determined to 
sacrifice him at the approaching festival ; and 
that all her entreaties had failed to shake his 
determination. She added that a trust}^ guide 
Avould, that night, lead him to Mucozo, a 
neighboring chief, who loved her and sought 
her in marriage ; and who, for her sake, would 
protect him. 

At the appointed time, Ortiz met the guide, 
and was safely conducted to Mucozo, who re- 
ceived him warmly, and finally became greatly 
attached to him. His hospitable reception 
displeased Hirritriqua, who made repeated 
demands on Mucozo to give up the fugitive. 
The latter; nevertheless, maintained inviolate 
the sacred rites of hospitality, notwithstanding 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 



29 



that the hand of the lovely maiden depended 
on his acquiescing". 

Ortiz had been among" the Indians nearly 
ten years, when De Soto made his appear- 
ance ; and, as it may well be supposed, he was 
overjoyed to rejoin his countrymen. His first 
act was to bring about friendly relations be- 
tween De Soto and his noble protector, Mu- 
cozo. In this he succeeded so well, that whilst 
the Spaniards remained in that part of the 
country, they were the best of friends. When, 
subsequently, the fleet sailed from the neigh- 
boring harbor, many things with which the 
Spaniards did not wish to be encumbered 
were presented to Mucozo, who found him- 
self abundantly provided for. It took many 
days for the Indians to carry to their villages, 
the clothing, weapons, and various stores 
which the Spaniards had given them. 

De Soto, as we have already stated, landed 
in Florida at Tampa Bay. From that point 
he took his route to the north and east, pass- 
ing through Ocala and Tallahassee, from 
whence he despatched an exploring party, 
which penetrated far into the interior. Hav- 



30 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



ing received a favorable report as to the rich- 
ness of the country to the north, he pushed 
forward in that direction, having first sent 
orders to his fleet to meet him at Pensacola 
Bay. De Soto crossed the Savannah river, 
near the present site of the City of Savannah ; 
and entered v^hat is nov^^ the State of South 
Carolina. There a pleasing incident occurred, 
which we can do no better than relate in 
the words of Fairbanks, in his " History of 
Florida:" 

" Near the Atlantic coast, in South Caroli- 
na, De Soto came into the territories of an 
Indian Queen, invested with youth, beauty, 
and loveliness, who is styled by the old 
Chronicles ' the Ladie of the Countrie.' Upon 
De Soto's approach, he was met by a lady 
ambassadress, sister of her Majesty, who de- 
livered a courteous speech of welcome ; and, 
within a little time, the Ladie came out of the 
town in a chaire, whereon certain of the prin- 
cipal Indians brought her to the river. She 
entered into a barge, which had the sterne 
tilted over, and on the floor her mat ready 
laid, with two cushions upon it, one upon 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



31 



another, where she sat her down, and with her 
came her principal Indians, in other barges, 
which did wait upon her. 

" She went to the place where the Governor 
was, and at her coming, she made this speech : 
* Excellent lord, I wish this coming of your 
lordship's into these your countries to be 
most happy; although my power be not 
answerable to my will, and my services be 
not according to my desire, nor such as so 
high a prince as your lordship deserveth, yet 
such the good wall is leather to be accepted 
than all the treasures of the world, that with- 
out it can be offered ; with most unfailable 
and manifest affection, I offer you my person, 
lords, and subjects, and this small service.* 

"After this courteous and graceful speech 
from the throne, it ma}^ be inferred that so 
gallant a cavalier as De Soto must have re- 
plied in equally complimentary style. The 
princess caused to be presented to the Ade- 
lantado rich presents of the clothes and skins 
of the country ; and, far greater attraction for 
them, beautiful strings of pearls. Her Ma- 
jesty, after some maiden coyness, took from 



32 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



her own neck a great cordon of pearls, and 
cast it about the neck of the Governor, enter- 
taining him with very gracious speeches of 
love and courtesy ; and, as soon as he was 
lodged in the town, she sent him another 
present, of not quite so delicate and refined a 
character, but no doubt considered by her of 
far greater value, namely, some hens. Per- 
ceiving that they valued the pearls, she ad- 
vised the Governor to send and search certain 
graves that were in that town, and that they 
should find many. They searched the graves, 
and there found * fourteen measures' of pearls, 
w^eighing two hundred and ninety-two pounds, 
figures of various kinds — little babies, birds, 
etc., were made of them," reminding one of 
the recent excavations at Chiriqui. 

The people were brown, well made, and 
well proportioned ; and more civnl than the 
other tribes which had been met with in 
Florida ; they were likewise well shod and 
clothed. 

The Spaniards, worried and fatigued by 
their tedious and fruitless marches, urged 
their leader to settle in the country, as the 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA: 



33 



climate was mild, the lands rich and produc- 
tive, and the coast afforded good harbors to 
shelter their ships. But the Governor re- 
plied, that he intended to seek treasures 
such as Atahualpa, Lord of Peru, possessed. 
Doubtless the country was a good one, that 
pearls of value abounded therein, yet there 
was not sufficient inducement to retain him 
there. And, as De Soto was firm and decided 
in his opinion, though giving ear to those of 
others, his followers acquiesced in his views. 

*' The fair princess seems to have been ill 
requited for her hospitable reception of the 
Spaniards. Held as a hostage (for the good 
behaviour of the Indians, it is presumed), De 
Soto insisted upon her accompanying him, 
which she did for many days ; until, one day, 
turning aside into the forest upon some slight 
pretext, she disappeared, not without suspicion 
of design, as there happened to be missing at 
the same time one of the Spaniards, who, 
report said, had joined the fair princess for 
weal or for woe, and had returned with her 
to her tribe." 

From South Carolina, De Soto proceeded 



34 GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 

to Georgia, which he penetrated as far as the 
borders of Tennessee, but failed to find the 
gold which the natives of the sea-board, with 
the hope of getting rid of him, had stated 
would there be found in abundance. Turn- 
ing his steps to the south-west, he passed 
through Georgia and Alabama, and reached a 
point near Mobile, where news was brought 
that the fleet was awaiting him but a few days' 
journey off, in the spacious harbor of Ochuse, 
or Pensacola. 

It would have been well if the valorous 
Spaniard had then abandoned his hopeless 
enterprise, and had re-embarked his discour- 
aged followers, who had undergone eighteen 
months of hardship — well, if he had returned 
to Cuba, where Dona Isabel was anxiously 
awaiting his coming. But De Soto had de- 
cided never to return to his native land until 
he had discovered the land where wealth 
abounded. So, binding Ortiz, who, alone be- 
sides himself, knew of the proximity of the 
fleet, to secrecy, he directed his course to the 
northward and westward ; and, after a march 
fraught with dangers and difficulties, emerged 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA 35 

from the swamps and forests of the wilder- 
ness, in the Spring of 1541, upon the banks of 
the Father of Waters, the Mecassabe, near 
the present site of Memphis. 

That year he spent exploring the country 
west of the Mississippi, and in April he re- 
turned to the river, intending to send de- 
spatches to the fleet, to be conveyed to Dona 
Isabel. But the end of the brave soldier was 
approaching. 

In the long marches through the swamps 
and lowlands, he had contracted a fever, w^hich 
increased rapidly, and made him aware that 
his last hour was at hand. He prepared for 
death with the calmness of a soldier, appointed 
Louis de Alvarado to the chief command, and 
required his officers to take the oath to obey 
and serve him faithfully. This done, the dying 
Governor called to him his followers, of whom 
he tenderly took his last leave, calmly address- 
ing them while they wept. De Soto soon 
after expired.* 

Thus perished Hernando de Soto, the most 
distinguished of the many brave leaders, 

* Irving. 



36 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

whose names are honored as the discoverers 
and settlers of the Western World. His fol- 
lowers, fearing to bury him on the shore, lest 
the Indians should desecrate his grave, hol- 
lowed out the trunk of a live oak of sufficient 
diameter to contain the body. Therein they 
placed the corpse, closed its opening with 
planking, and at midnight conveyed the re- 
mains to mid-stream, where the river was a 
mile in Avidth and nineteen fathoms deep, 
They there committed to the deep the mortal 
remains of their commander. 

De la Vega, in his history qf the expedition, 
says : " The discoverer of the Mississippi 
slept beneath its waters. He had crossed a 
large part of the Continent in search of gold, 
and found nothing so remarkable as his burial- 
place." 

Our fair readers will ask what became of 
the eighteen " measures '' of pearls. Alas ! in 
one of the villages where De Soto established 
his quarters, the natives, at night, fired the 
building ; and it was quite as much as the 
Spaniards could do to save themselves, much 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 37 

less the pearls which, together with quan- 
tities of stores and equipments, were utterly 
consumed. 

De Soto died on 21st May, 1542. His suc- 
cessor, Louis de Alvarado, at once summon- 
ed a council of his officers to determine the 
best course to pursue. They decided to leave 
the country ; but how to do so with the least 
embarrassment was the question. One of 
the officers, Juan de Anasco, urged the Com- 
mander to push through to the frontiers 
of Mexico, offering to show the way. He 

insisted that the distance was not great. 

» 

therefore his advice prevailed, and, in the 
early part of June, they commenced their 
march onward. 

The Spaniards had not proceeded far on 
their way, when they discovered that one of 
their number was missing ; a young Cavalier 
of good family named Diego de Guzman. It 
appears that the gay Diego, in a fora}^ had 
captured a most beautiful Indian girl, with 
whom he at once fell most desperately in love. 
As this fair damsel was also missing, the Span- 
iards concluded the pair had gone off togeth- 



38 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

er. To make sure that such was the case, the 
general summoned to him the several chiefs 
of the province who were in his escort, and 
gave them to understand that, unless the des- 
erter was brought to his camp, he would be 
led to believe the Indians had murdered him ; 
in which case their lives should be the penalty. 
The alarmed chiefs sent forth their scouts, 
who soon returned with the news that Guz- 
man was with his fair captive's father, a neigh- 
boring Cacique, living on the best in the land 
and treated with great kindness and distinct- 
ion. De Gallegos, who was a friend and 
townsman of De Guzman, wrote beseechingly 
to him, to remember that he was a Spaniard 
and a Cavalier, and not to desert his God, his 
countrymen, and his native land. His elo- 
quent appeal was returned the following day, 
with the indorsement, in charcoal, " De Guz- 
man." 

No other word did the young Cavalier 
vouchsafe to his companions in arms, but the 
messenger said he had no intention nor wish 
to rejoin the army ; whilst the Cacique sent 
word that his son-in-law, who had restored 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 3^ 

to him a beloved daughter, was not detained 
by force, but remained of his own free will. 
The Governor, upon this, abandoned any fur- 
ther attempt to recover De GuzQian, and re- 
leased the chiefs ; who, however, accompanied 
him to the frontier.* 

For many weary months, the brave little 
army forced its way onward to the westward, 
reaching the roaming grounds of the Buffalo, 
and beholding, in the distance, a lofty chain of 
mountains ! At last, despairing of ever reach-- 
ing Mexico by that route, they reluctantly 
set out on their return to the Mississippi, 
which they reached in the Autumn of tliat 
year. Wintering in the villages they found 
upon the banks, and which they fortified, they 
set to work to build seven vessels for the trans- 
fer of the force. Francisco, a Genoese, who 
had been throughout invaluable to De Soto in 
building bridges, rafts and boats, superin- 
tended the work. He was assisted b}^ several 
soldiers, who had inhabited the sea-coast 
of Spain. Notwithstanding their combined 
efforts, it was not until the early part of 

* Irvinff. 



40 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



July that the vessels were completed, and 
the preparations made for taking their de- 
parture. 

Of the gallant host that had landed with 
De Soto, but three hundred and fifty survived 
to embark on the frail vessels comprising the 
fleet. It started from the mouth of the 
Arkansas river, upon the bosom of the Fath- 
er of Waters — the highway, as they hoped, 
to their distant home. 

The Indians had eagerly watched the pre- 
parations of the Spaniards ; and had sent word 
far and wide that their common enemies 
were about to depart, and thus evade the ven- 
geance they had hoped to wreak upon them. 
The tribes gathered from the surrounding 
country ; they harassed the Spaniards as they 
passed down the river; and when, at last, they 
reached the ocean, many had been killed by 
the arrows of the natives. From the mouth 
of the Mississippi, the Spaniards coasted along 
the shores of Louisiana and Texas for nearly 
two months, and at last reached the Spanish 
settlements in Mexico. Here they were 
warmly received by the Viceroy, De Mendozo, 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 4 1 

who sent those who so desired to Spain, while 
others he took into his service. 

Poor Dona Isabel, the wife of De Soto, dur- 
ing these three years, had never ceased to send 
fleet after fleet to seek and carry succor to her 
husband, but the}'- returned without tidings of 
the Governor. At length, one of her faithful 
captains reached Vera Cruz, in October, 1543, 
and there learned the death of De Soto ; and 
that, of his brave men, but three hundred had 
reached Mexico alive. When this sad news 
reached Dona Isabel, the blow proved too 
great for her too bear ; and it is said she soon 
died of a broken heart. 



1559 — DON TRISTAN DE LUNA. 

Not many year^ elapsed before the Spanish 
Monarch ordered the Viceroy of Mexico to 
prepare another expedition for the conquest 
and settlement of Florida. This expedition, 
which consisted of fifteen hundred men, set 
sail, under the command of Don Tristan de 
Luna, in the Spring of 1559, from the port of 
Vera Cruz. The fleet reached Pensacola Bay 



42 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

in safety ; but a few days after coming to an 
chor was entirely wrecked, together with the 
greater part of the supplies. This misfortune, 
and the unfavorable reports of the country 
brought to De Luna by scouting parties, which 
he had sent into the interior, caused the gen- 
eral to render such accounts to the Viceroy as 
to induce him to recall the expedition — not, 
however, before its members had suffered pri- 
vations which equalled those of their prede- 
cessors. 

De Luna's expedition was the last sent by 
the Spanish to Florida. At that time the 
Spaniards regarded as Florida the whole shore 
of the Continent, from the frontier of Mexico 
to the Chesapeake. We will conclude this 
brief history of Florida by narrating only what 
occurred in the peninsula which now consti- 
tutes the State of that name. 



1562 — THE HUGUENOT SETTLEMENTS. 

The year 1562 marked a new era in the his- 
tory of Florida and of the Continent. By the 
withdrawal of De Luna, there was left not a 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



43 



single settlement of Europeans on the Conti- 
nent of North America beyond the boundaries 
of Mexico. That year, however, witnessed 
the first attempt at colonization ; and that, too, 
by the French. 

The Huguenots, wearied with struggling 
against persecution, were seeking homes away 
from their native land. Encouraged by Ad- 
miral Coligny, the head of the Protestant 
party in France, an expedition for America 
was fitted out, under Capt. Jean Ribaut, and 
sailed in February, 1562. Ribaut, with his 
two vessels, entered the St. John's River on 
the 1st of May, but remained here a short 
time only. He proceeded to the northward, 
until reaching Port Royal harbor, where he 
determined to found the Huguenot settlement. 
The site was selected upon an island, a fort 
erected, in which he left a small garrison, 
while he returned to France to obtain colon- 
ists and supplies for the settlement. On his 
arrival home, he found the Civil War at its 
height, which debarred his return to the suc- 
cor of the colony. The colonists, discouraged 
by the long absence of their commander, put 



44 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

to sea in a small pinnace which they had con- 
structed, in the mad hope of attempting to 
reach France. Fortunately they were rescued 
by an English vessel. Two years later, Co- 
ligny being again able to turn his attention to 
his favorite scheme of colonization, despatched 
three small vessels to Florida, under command 
of a companion of Ribaut, named Rene de 
Laudonniere. 

Laudonniere landed at the present site of 
St. Augustine ; but on the following day en- 
tered the St. John's River, where he deter- 
mined to found a settlement. 

The site chosen was at St. John's Bluff, just 
within the mouth of the River, where the re- 
mains of the works they constructed are still 
said to exist. Laudonniere erected a fort, 
which he named Fort Caroline, and from it 
made many excursions to the surrounding 
country, and seems to have kept on excellent 
terms with the Indians. He, however, ac- 
complished nothing ; and, relying on receiving 
supplies from France, which of course did not 
come, the garrison was reduced to the verge 
of starvation. Their Indian friends got tired 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



45 



of supplying their wants, particularly when 
they found the stock of " Parisian notions " 
brought by them was exhausted ; they refused 
longer to bring in provisions. Had it not been 
for a lovely widow, the Queen of a neighbor- 
ing tribe, Laudonni^re and his companions 
would have inevitably perished. But the 
Queen, taking pity of their distress, sent them 
in the nick of time some boat-loads of corn and 
beans, which were gladly welcomed by Ren6 
and his followers. Fairbanks tells us the fol- 
lowing : 

" In De Bray there is an engraving made 
from a sketch of Le Moyne's, who accompan- 
ied a deputation, representing her Majesty in 
her state procession. At the head appear two 
trumpeters blowing upon reeds. Then follow 
six chiefs bearing a canopied platform, on 
which is seated, shaded by a leafy canopy, her 
Majesty, in the person of a beautiful female. 
Around her neck is a cordon of pearls ; brace- 
lets and anklets adorn the person, et prcsterea 
nihil. On each side walk other chiefs, hold- 
ing large feather shades or fans ; beautiful 
young girls, bearing baskets of fruits and flow- 



46 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

ers, follow next to the Queen, and then war- 
riors and her household guards." 

In 1565, Coligny, to succor and render per- 
manent the colony in Florida, fitted out seven 
vessels, upon which he embarked six hundred 
and fifty persons ; comprising not only the 
representatives of some of the best families of 
France, but many artisans and their families. 
The colonists carried with them seed, and im- 
plements wherewith to till the land ; indeed, 
every requisite for a permanent settlement. 
They sailed from Dieppe, under the command 
of Ribaut, on the 23d of May, 1565 ; but, en- 
countering stormy weather, it was not till the 
29th of August that they reached Fort Caro- 
line, where they found Laudonniere on the eve 
of departing for France. 

In the meantime, whilst Coligny was fitting 
out this expedition, word had been carried to 
Spain that the French Huguenots, whom they 
looked upon as heretics, were on the point of 
seizing Florida, a land to which the Spaniards 
claimed exclusive right. Philip II. at once 
encouraged the fitting out of an expedition tc 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



47 



thwart their purpose, and soon found the man 
whom he needed to accomplish this object. 

This was Pedro Menendez, who, having- 
been successful in several naval expeditions, 
had acquired considerable fame and wealth. 
His life had been blighted by the loss of a fa- 
vorite son, who had been shipwrecked on the 
coast of Florida, on board a treasure ship re- 
turning from Mexico. 

In the hopes of finding his son, Menendez 
embarked his fortune in the new expedition, 
spending a million of ducats for its equipment. 
The King had been lavish in his promises to 
assist Menendez, but in the end furnished a 
single vessel, and two hundred men. In spite 
of this, Menendez set sail for Florida, from 
Cadiz, on the ist of July, 1565, with a fleet of 
thirty-four vessels. Many of them were ships 
of from six hundred to a thousand tons, the 
whole fleet carrying a force of nearly three 
thousand persons. 

It will be noticed that Ribaut's vessels had 
left France a month in advance of Menendez, 
but the latter reached the coast of Florida on 
the same day as the French, though not with 



48 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

the fleet with which he sailed from Cadiz ; for 
only a third of them were with him, the 
rest having been wrecked or dispersed. 

Menendez landed on the coast on the 28th 
of August, 1565, the fete of St. Augustine, 
in whose honor he named his settlement — a 
name it retains at present. From the Indians, 
Menendez learned that the French were but a 
few leagues distant to the north, and at the 
mouth of St. John's river. 

The French heard of the arrival of their 
enemies, and sent out a vessel to reconnoitre. 
It soon returned, and reported to Ribaut that 
the Spaniards were engaged in landing at St. 
Augustine, and in fortifying the place. Ribaut 
at once resolved to get rid of so dangerous a 
neighbor by surprising him before he could 
strengthen his defences. Leaving a small gar- 
rison at Fort Caroline, he embarked his whole 
force ; and, on the loth of September, set sail 
for St. Augustine. No sooner had he started 
than a gale arose and drove him far beyond 
his destination. Menendez, meantime, had 
started overland to surprise Ribaut. He was 
guided by two Indian chiefs, enemies of Lau- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



49 



donniere. The country was nearly impass- 
able, from recent heavy rains ; but Menendez 
persevered in the march, and at dawn of the 
third day they arrived at Fort Caroline. 
Without losing a moment, the Spaniards at- 
tacked the fort, which offered but a feeble re- 
sistance ; it was soon captured. An indis- 
criminate massacre of men, women and chil- 
dren took place that casts everlasting disgrace 
on the name of Menendez. Some of his pris- 
oners he hung upon the neighboring trees, 
placing ov^er them this inscription : " No por 
Franceses, sino por Luteranos." ('' Not as 
Frenchmen, but as Lutherans.")* 

Menendez, having left at Fort Caroline a 
garrison of three hundred men, returned to St. 
Augustine, where, this victory over the Hu- 
guenots caused great rejoicings. In the midst 
of the revelry, word was brought that Ribaut's 
fleet had been stranded at Matanzas Inlet, some 
distance below St. Augustine, and that his 
force was endeavoring to cross to the main- 
land. Menendez set his army in motion, and 
soon arrived at the scene of shipwreck. 

* Fairbanks. 



50 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

Here a long parley took place, the French 
doing their " possible to obtain terms of sur- 
render, by which Menendez would spare their 
lives and furnish them means to return to their 
own country." All that could be obtained 
from him was, " that he would treat them as 
God directed him." Two hundred of Ribaut's 
companions, considering the tei ms extremely 
suspicious, made their escape in the night, 
to the southward. In the morning, Ribaut, 
most of his officers, and one hundred and fifty 
men, unconditionally surrendered to Menen- 
dez, having faith in his clemency. The French 
claim that Ribaut was promised his life and 
the lives of his followers, but this the Spanish 
historians deny. At all events, by the orders 
of the general, the shipwrecked soldiers were 
marched into the woods in detached parties 
and cruelly butchered. 

The two hundred who had fled, made their 
way to Point Canaveral, where they hastily 
threw up some works to defend them ; and 
then commenced building a vessel from the 
materials of a wreck which they found there. 
Upon learning of their whereabouts, Menen- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 5 1 

dez sent them word that if they would surren- 
der, he would protect them and treat them as 
Spaniards. Most of them accepted his terms, 
and, singular to narrate, the Spanish comman- 
der kept his word. TKey became a part of 
the colon}^, and afterwards some of them re- 
turned to France. 

The fearful massacres perpetrated by Gov- 
nor Menendez created considerable excite- 
ment throughout Europe ; but Spain ap- 
proved of the deed, which was commended 
by Philip II. and his people as a righteous 
act. France made numerous demands upon 
the Crown of Spain to revenge the murder 
of their countrymen ; but Charles IX. and his 
Court felt little sympathy for the misfortunes 
of the Huguenots, and treated the matter with 
indifference. 

Menendez, having disposed of Ribaut, turn- 
ed his attention to strengthening the defences 
of St. Augustine, and placing the settlement 
on a permanent footing. A strong fort was 
built, a cathedral and other buildings erected, 
and magistrates and others appointed to ad- 
minister the government of the province. 



52 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

He then set out to explore the shores of 
the peninsula in search of his long-lost son ; 
and for months persevered in the task. He 
visited innumerable bays and inlets ; and, 
through his interpreters, sought among the 
Indian tribes information which might shed 
light upon the fate of his child. At last, to 
his great joy, he was told that, near Cape 
Florida, seven Spaniards, shipwrecked years 
before, were living with the Indians. Reach- 
ing the Indian Settlement, Menendez was 
bitterly disappointed to find his son was not 
among them. Sick at heart, he invited the 
seven Spaniards — who had been with the 
natives twenty years — on board his vessel, 
and returned to St, Augustine. 



DE GOURGES. 

In 1567, Menendez deemed it to his interest 
to visit Spain, and ordered a vessel to be built 
to convey him thither. By his command, 
this craft was of twenty tons burthen. In 
this little yacht, which would have done 
credit to herself and her builders in a regatta 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



53 



of the present day, Menendez ran to the 
Azores in seventeen days, and landed in Spain 
after the shortest passage of the period. At 
the Spanish Court he was received with 
the highest honors ; but when he asked for 
material aid for the struggling colony, and to 
be reimbursed for the enormous outlay he had 
made in crushing the Lutheran pirates — as the 
Huguenots were then termed — he found 
them slow to respond to his demands. For 
more than a year he remained in Spain, and 
at last succeeded '' in getting his bill honor- 
ed," besides being made Governor of Cuba. 

He arrived at St. Augustine in the Spring 
of 1568, and learned with grief and rage that 
a serious accident had happened to his faith- 
ful garrison at Fort Caroline ; nothing less 
than the massacre of the entire party, by De 
Gourges, the Huguenot. 

Dominic de Gourges was a brave soldier ; 
from his early youth he had led a life of adven- 
ture ; captured by the Spaniards in battle, he 
had been made a galley-slave. He was also 
taken by the Turks, but was afterwards re- 
captured by his countrymen. 



54 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

Returning from a successful voyage to 
Brazil, he arrived in France to learn of the 
massacre of the French at Fort Caroline. 
From that moment he determined to devote 
his life and fortune to avenging that dastardly 
act. 

De Gourges did not ask the assistance of 
the French Government for his proposed ex- 
pedition ; he carefully concealed his designs, 
but made his preparations with all possible 
haste. Having secured a permit for a voyage 
to Africa, to obtain a cargo of slaves, he en- 
listed about one hundred and eighty soldiers 
and sailors for the purpose. 

After a long and stormy voyage, De Gour- 
ges arrived with his three vessels, at Fernan- 
dina, then called La Seine by the French. It 
was there that he made his preparations for 
avenging his countrymen and co-religionists. 
Among his troops was one who had accom- 
panied the unfortunate Laudonniere, and who 
understood the language of the natives. This 
proved a fortunate circumstance ; for no 
sooner had the vessels anchored in the beauti- 
ful harbor, than the Indians assembled on the 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



55 



beach to contest the landing of the detested 
Spaniards, as they supposed De Gourges' 
party to be. But the above-mentioned soldier 
explained to the chief, Satourioura, the nat- 
ure of the expedition. He was pleased with 
the news, and promised to rally to De Gour- 
ges' aid thousands of warriors, who would aid 
the French in exterminating the common 
enemy. Then they brought to the French a 
lad, one Peter De Bre, who had escaped from 
the massacre at Fort Caroline, and had come 
to them. He proved of great service as an 
interpreter and in obtaining correct informa- 
tion as to the strength and position of the 
Spaniards.* 

The preparations being completed ; accom- 
panied by the forces of his Indian ally, De 
Gourges set out for Fort Caroline. H e reach- 
ed it, and surprised the garrison, which was 
unprepared for a land attack. 

Finding themselves surrounded, the gar- 
rison threw down their arms and attempted 
to make good their escape. They were, how- 
ever, either slain or captured. Taking the 

* Fairbanks. 



56 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

survivors to the spot where Menendez, three 
years before, had executed the Huguenots, 
De Gourges hanged the Spaniards to the 
branches of the oaks ; and, taking down the 
former inscription placed over the French 
bodies by the Spaniards, he replaced it with 
the following ; ^' I do this, not as unto Span- 
iards, nor as to outcasts, but as to traitors, 
thieves, and murderers." 

De Gourges and his followers then re-em- 
barked, amid a perfect ovation from the In- 
dians, and safely returned to France. 

This humiliating blow of De Gourges, to- 
gether with other discouraging events, damp- 
ed Menendez's enthusiasm for colonizing. He, 
nevertheless, made many excursions to the 
surrounding country, and even reached the 
shores of the Chesapeake. The Colony, not- 
withstanding, did not flourish ; so, when called 
to Spain to take command of the Spanish 
fleet, he was pleased to leave Florida for ever. 
He died soon after reaching Spain, in 1574, in 
the fifty-fifth year of his age. 

Menendez left the government of Florida in 
the hands of his relative, the Marquis de Me- 



i 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



57 



nendez ; and, from that time until 1586, its 
history presents little of interest. 

In that year Sir Francis Drake, the English 
freebooter, on his way to England, surprised 
and captured St. Augustine, which, at the 
time, was a well-built and flourishing town. 
The family of Menendez continued governing 
Florida for nearly one -hundred years. In 
1665, an English pirate, Captain John Davis, 
captured and pillaged the town. 

South Carolina, having been settled by the 
English, constant troubles arose between the 
Colonists and the Spaniards. Governor 
Moore, in 1702, attacked St. Augustine, but 
met with a disastrous repulse. In 1740, Gov- 
ernor Oglethorpe, of Georgia, also met with 
a like result before the walls of that city. In 
1762, Cuba fell into possession of the English ; 
and when peace was declared during the fol- 
lowing year, Great Britain transferred it to 
Spain in exchange for Florida. 

Captain James Grant was the first English 
Governor. One of his earliest acts was the 
issue of a proclamation referring to the salu- 
brity of the climate, and the extreme age at- 

3* 



.58 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

tained by the inhabitants of the country.* 
In this, and in other ways, he endeavored to 
attract emigration to the shores of Florida. 
In 1766, a certain Dr. TurnbuU, a Scotchman, 
having obtained from the Crown the conces- 
sion of a large tract of land below St. Augus- 
tine, he called it New Smyrna. To it he 
brought, from Smyrna and the Balearic Isles, 
fifteen hundred Greeks and Minorcans, whom 
he settled there. 

Ten years later, these colonists secured 
from the magistrates at St. Augustine, a de- 
cree cancelling their agreement with Turn- 
bull; and almost the entire number removed 
to St. Augustine, and colonized, where their 
descendants still remain, forming the most 
industrious and interesting portion of the 
population. 

In 1 82 1, Florida was ceded to the United 
States. Of the long wars with the Seminole 
Indians it is unnecessary to remark — the 
visitor to Florida will continue to find 
among the old inhabitants many who have 
gone through those bloody scenes, and 

* Fairbanks. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 59 

who take interest in narrating much which will 
interest the visitor. 

We will here terminate our brief sketch 
of the history of Florida, referring the reader 
for more ample information, to the " History 
of Florida " by Fairbanks ; and to Irving's 
Conquest thereof — of which the writer has 
availed himself for much of the foregoing in- 
formation. 



FLORIDA; 

ITS GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE, ETC. 



Florida is the most southern of the States 
of the Union, and extends down to latitude 
25° N. The peninsula is four hundred miles 
in length, with an average width of about one 
hundred miles. It contains 59,268 square 
miles of territory, and a population of about 
two hundred thousand ; the white and colored 
being nearly equal in numbers, the whites 
slightly predominating. 

The surface of the country is remarkably 
level. The lands in the upper portion of the 
State, near the boundary of Georgia, are of a 
rolling character. A large proportion of the 
land is covered with forests of pine and cy- 
press. The most remarkable feature of the 

State is its numerous navigable streams and 

(60) 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 6 1 

lakes, and its wonderful mineral springs, 
which probably gave rise to the fable of the 
Fountain of Rejuvenancy, to which Ponce de 
Leon aspired possession. The Indians, from 
the earliest times, had resorted to these foun- 
tains for medicinal purposes, and knew well 
their beneficial effects. Even now the waters 
continue to enjoy their ancient reputation, 
and thither strangers repair in search of 
health. 

These springs are probably the largest in the 
world, giving instant birth to rivers w^hich 
would in Europe be called important streams. 
WilliamS; in his history of Florida, thus des- 
cribes two of the hundred which exist in that 
State. 

" The Wakulla River rises about ten miles 
N. W. from St. Mark's, from one of the finest 
springs in Florida. It is of an oval form, the 
largest diameter of which is about six rods. 
It is of unknown depth and perfectly trans- 
parent. In looking into it, the color resem- 
bles a clear blue sky, except near the border, 
where it has a slight tinge of green, from the 
reflection of the surrounding verdure, which 
overhangs it in drooping branches and waving 



62 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

festoons. The Eastern side presents a rugged 
rocky precipice ; all else is in an abyss of 
boundless depth. Squadrons of fish are seen 
careering round ' their own world ' in perfect 
security. 

'* The big Spring of Chipola offers a very 
different scene. Here a river bursts from the 
earth, with a giant force, from large masses 
of rugged rocks, with furious rapidity, as 
though impatient of restraint. The orifice 
opens to the southwest from a high bank cov- 
ered with large oak trees. This orifice is 
thirty feet by eight feet wide. A large rock 
divides the mouth almost into two parts. This 
spring at once forms a river six rods wide and 
eight feet deep, which joins the Chipola River 
at about ten miles distance." 

The River St. John's is one of the most re- 
markable and beautiful in our country. For 
a hundred and fifty miles its average width is 
nearly two miles ; and, in many places, it en- 
larges into lakes ten and twenty miles in 
width. Of its many beauties we shall have 
occasion to speak further on. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



CLIMATE. 



63 



The wonderful salubrity of the climate of 
Florida is its greatest attraction, and is des- 
tined to make it to America what the South 
of France and Italy are to Europe, — the refuge 
of those who seek to escape the rigor of a 
Northern winter. The sudden changes ex- 
perienced at Nice or Florence are unknown 
in Florida. 

So well convinced are our physicians of this 
fact, that they now advise their patients to 
seek health in Florida, within three days' reach 
of their homes and friends, in lieu of going 
abroad at a stormy season of the year. 

Florida, as a resort for those suffering from 
pulmonary disease, is preferable to any other 
portion of America. The census of i860 fur- 
nished the following evidence on this subject.' 
It gives the average number of deaths from 
Consumption as follows : 

One in 254 in Massachusetts. 
One in 473 in New York. 
One in 757 in Virginia. 
One in 1139 in Minnesota. 
One in 1447 iii Florida. 



64 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



The following Summary of Observations, taken from the 
" Army Meteorological Register'^ are introduced to show the 
equability of the climate of Florida, as compared with that 
of other parts of t/ie United States: 





Jan. 

57.03' 


Feb. 


Mar. 


Apr. 


May. 

73.50 


June 




St. Augustine, Fla.. 


59-94 


63-34 


68.78 


79-36 




Tampa Bay, " . 


61.53 


63-54 


67.72 


71.8a 


76.64 


79.46 




Key West, 


66.68 


68.88 


72.88 


75-38 


79-IO 


81.63 




West Point, K Y.. 


28.28 


28.80 


37.63 


48.70 


59.82 


68.41 




Fort Snelling, Min. 


13.76 


17-57 


31.41 


56.34 


58.97 


68.46 






July. 

80.90 


Aug. 

80.56 


Sept. 


Oct. 


Nov. 


Dec. 


Year 


St. Augustine, Fla. . 


78.60 


71.88 


64.12 


57.26 


69.61 


Tampa Bay, " . 


80.72 


80.43 


78.28 


74.02 


66.94 


61.99 


71.92 


Key West, 


83.00 


82.90 


81.92 


78.11 


74.66 


71 03 


76.51 


West Point, N. Y.. 


73-75 


71.83 


64.31 


53.04 


42-23 


31-98 


50.73 


Fort Snelling, Min . 


7340 


70.05 


5886 


47.15 


31.67 


16.89 


46.54 



The above indicates the mean tempera- 
ture, the result of over twenty years* observa- 
tions. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 65 

The sulphur baths at Green Cove Springs, 
and other points in Florida, have been pro- 
nounced as efficacious for the cure of Rheu- 
matism as those of Sharon and Richfield, 
whilst St. Augustine is the refuge of those 
afflicted with that dreadful disease, Asthma. 
We have never heard of an instance where re- 
lief was not obtained. 



HOW TO REACH FLORIDA. 

The choice of a route to Florida is, of 
course, the first and most important consider- 
tion to those who intend going thither. Ac- 
cording to our opinion, the Steamers of the 
New York and Charleston, and New York 
and Savannah lines, offer the best mode of 
conveyance. They are in all respects the 
most advisable whether for the invalid or 
pleasure seeker. The following comprise the 
vessels running to the places named, and 
form a splendid fleet of first-class ocean 
steamers ; 



66 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

NEW YORK AND CHARLESTON LINE. 

" Manhattan "— M. S. Woodhull, Commander. 
" Champion "— R. W. Lockwood, " 

" Charleston " — James Berry, " 

'' James Adger "— T. J. Lockwood, " 

" Georgia " Holmes, " 

" South Carolina "—J. T. Beckett, " 
Sailing from Pier 29 North River, at 3 p. m., every 
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Jas. W. Quin- 
TARD & Co., Agents, corner of Warren and West 
Streets ; or Wm. R Clyde, 6 Bowling Green. 



NEW YORK AND SAVANNAH LINES. 

** Leo " — Dearborn, Commander. 

"Virgo"— Bulkley, 
Every Tuesday, from foot of Wall Street, at 3 p. m. 
Murray, Ferris & Co., Agents, 61 and 62 South 
Street. 

'' Herman Livingston " — Cheeseman, Commander. 

" General Barnes "— Mallory, " 

Every Thursday, from Pier 43, North River, at 3 
p. M. Wm. R. Garrison, Agent, 5 Bowling Green. 

" San Jacinto " — Hazard, Commander. 

" San Salvador " — Nickerson, " 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. ^y 

Every Saturday, from Pier 43, North River, at 3 p. m. 
Wm. R. Garrison, Agent, 5 Bowling Green. 



We refer to advertisements of above com- 
panies, which will be found at the end of this 
volume ; and in the event of any further infor- 
mation being desired, the traveller cannot do 
better than apply at one of the different offices 
named, where he will be treated with cour- 
tesy, and placed in possession of any informa- 
tion he desires. 

The voyage to Charleston or Savannah is a 
short one, it seldom exceeding sixty hours in 
time ; and experience has proven that the in- 
valid almost invariably improves at sea. The 
vessels are provided with an excellent table 
and careful attendance, such comforts as it is 
impossible to procure on any other route. 
For those in good health, the trip is a most 
enjoyable one. The class of passengers avail- 



68 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

ing themselves of these steamers are invariably 
pleasant and agreeable companions — tourists 
from all parts of the United States, Boston, 
New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, 
Cincinnatti, etc — scarcely a city but is repre- 
sented on board of them. 

Travelers who go by land should leave 
either by the morning train at 9, or by the 
9:30 evening Express, on the New Jersey 
R. R. The morning train connects at Balti- 
more with the Steamers of the Bay Line for 
Norfolk, the least fatiguing route. The cap- 
ital suppers and comfortable state-rooms fur- 
nished on board that line will long dwell in 
the memory of the Southern traveler. The 
evening train carries the passenger via Wash- 
ington and Richmond. 

Until recently there was no comfortable 
resting-place on the road south of Norfolk or 
Richmond, but now the Purcell House at 
Wilmington, North CaroHna, supplies the 
want ; and, under the care of Colonel Davis, 
the weary traveler will soon recuperate. 

Invalids, and others not pressed for time, 
should divide the journey thus — Leave New 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 6q 

York by the morning train, and sleep at 
Washington ; pass the following night at 
Richmond, the third at Wilmington, arriving 
at Charleston the fourth day. The Arlington 
at Washington, and Exchange at Richmond, 
are strictly first-class hotels. 

A well-supplied lunch-basket will not be 
amiss when starting from Richmond to Wil- 
mington, as it is impossible to obtain a good 
meal on the road. 

At Charleston, travelers will find Omni- 
buses waiting at the Steamship Wharf, and 
Railway Depot, to convey them to the various 
Hotels, and to the Steamers of the Florida 
Line. 



CHARLESTON. 

Charleston is one of the oldest cities of the 
Continent (settled in 1679), and is also one of 
the most interesting and enjoyable. Its situa- 
tion, almost directly upon the sea, with the 
waves of the Atlantic in full view from its 
wharves, is unsurpassed. Its harbor is a fine 
one, with ample water front to supply the 



70 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

demands of its commerce. Charleston has a 
beautiful promenade, on the apex of the 
peninsula on which the city is built, and from 
it can be viewed Fort Sumter and the islands 
forming the entrance to the Bay — Morris and 
Sullivan. 

Approaching Charleston by steamer, the 
city seems to rise from the sea. On misty 
mornings, the effects of mirage in the har- 
bor are very remarkable. The city then 
appears raised high above the horizon, and 
entirely detached from it — whilst Sumter 
seems thrice its former size. On one or two 
occasions, during the war, this phenomenon 
spread consternation through the city, as the 
whole blockading squadron was made to ap- 
pear within the obstructions, and fast ap- 
proaching the wharves. The situation of 
Charleston for commercial purposes is admir- 
able, being nearer to the ocean than most 
other Atlantic cities of importance. Its har- 
bor, which is capacious and secure, is easy of 
access to vessels of large tonnage. 

Indeed, Charleston possesses all the requi- 
sites of a great commercial seaport, and there 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



71 



is no doubt that, once relieved from her pres- 
ent exorbitant taxation, she will make rapid 
strides in prosperity. Three great lines of 
railway connect the city with the interior, by 
which the products of the South and South- 
west can be brought to her wharves at the 
lowest rates. The recent discoveries of rich 
deposits of phosphate rock in the districts 
about the city, have proven to be of great 
importance, and many millions of dollars and 
thousands of laborers are profitably em- 
ployed in digging and preparing it for mar- 
ket. 

A very erroneous impression prevails as to 
the extent of business transacted in Charles- 
ton, it being far greater than is generally sup- 
posed. Her wholesale trade in dry goods, 
groceries, etc., is- very large — nearly as great 
as before the war, and greater than any other 
Southern port, except New Orleans. She re- 
ceives a large quantity of cotton and lumber, 
naval stores, rice, and phosphates. In spite of 
bad government, high taxes, the ravages of fire, 
and the unfortunate investments in Confede- 
rate " securities," Charleston is undoubtedly 



^2 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

progressing, and but few years will be requir- 
ed to restore her to her former position. 

A growing confidence in the final restora- 
tion of an honest State government is again 
attracting capital from abroad ; and many 
transactions have of late taken place in real 
estate, within the city, on terms which, to 
those accustomed to the prices current in 
Northern cities, would seem preposterously 
low. Fine dwellings, with beautiful gardens 
•attached thereto, are selling for from six to 
ten thousand dollars — in many instances the 
same buildings having originally cost double 
that sum. 

The resources of Charleston for a pleasant 
sojourn are varied, and visitors, in great num- 
bers, avail themselves of them during the 
winter months. The hotels have always been 
celebrated for their comfort and good cheer. 
Unfortunately one of the favorite resorts, the 
•' Mills' House," is now closed ; but the 
'-'■ Charleston," a strictly first-class hotel, is kept 
in excellent style, and has been recently en- 
larged to meet the demand of increased 
business. It is admirably managed and ap- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



73 



pointed, and the building is one of the orna- 
ments of the city. 

The Artesian Baths attached to the house 
form one of its greatest attractions. The 
waters, which flow direct from the wells, are 
equal in softness to the most famous springs 
of Germany. 

In the building is an office where tickets to 
Florida can be obtained. At the office of the 
hotel carriages can be procured to visit 
several places of interest in and about the 
city. 

The " Pavilion Hotel " is a well-kept, com- 
fortable house, to whose advertisement we call 
attention. 



OBJECTS OF INTEREST. 

The public institutions of Charleston are 
numerous, and well worthy of a visit. The 
Orphan Asylum is an exceedingly fine build- 
ing, from whose cupola a most extensive view 
of the city and harbor can be obtained. St. 
Nicholas' and St. Philip's Churches are fine 
edifices — the former was built from designs 
4 



74 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



of Sir Christopher Wren, who was also the 
architect of the building known as the Old 
Post-office. 

This building is one in which many prom- 
inent historical incidents were enacted. It 
was the Government House in the Colonial 
days ; and during the Revolution its cellars 
were the dungeon in which the British con- 
fined the prominent patriots — from it Hayne 
was led to execution. Charlestonians regard 
the building with interest and affection, and 
hailed with pleasure the act of the Washing- 
ton government in repairing it, for it had 
fallen into almost total ruin. A great number 
of shells, during the bombardment, had tra- 
versed it from roof to cellar. It is again used 
as the Post-office, and, though much altered, 
still bears traces of its original architecture. 

The church-yards of Charleston contain 
many ancient and interesting monuments, 
some bearing exceedingly quaint inscriptions. 
Calhoun's tomb is in St. Phihp's yard. 

The Battery, lined with rows of beautiful 
residences, is the favorite afternoon promen- 
ade. At sunset, the visitor, leaning over the 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



75 



parapet rail, watching the waves break against 
the sea-wall, cannot but appreciate the beauty 
of the scene. Seaward lies Sumter, with a 
fleet of vessels, large and small, passing to 
and fro around the fortress. On the right is 
James' Island, with the grove of giant pine 
trees, known as the Hundred Pines, standing 
out in bold relief against the sky ; whilst, look- 
ing up the Ashley, a view is obtained of a 
beautiful river, with banks lined with groves 
of magnolia and live oaks. 

King Street is the Broadway of Charles- 
ton, where the traveller can supply himself 
from stores well filled with every commo- 
dity. 

The markets form a point of interest, and 
should be visited. On Saturday night the 
scene presented is curious, and peculiarly 
Charlestonian. 

There are several beautiful drives in the 
environs of Charleston ; to Magnolia Ceme- 
tery, — to Lowndes' Avenue, to Belvidere, — 
to the Four Mile House, and to the Ship-yard. 
The roads, in most places, are bordered by 
live oaks, magnolias, and pines, from whose 



^6 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

branches hang masses of gray moss, present- 
ing a most unique appearance — whilst, in the 
Spring, the hedges are filled with wild flow- 
ers — the beautiful Cherokee rose and yellow 
jessamine growing in tropical profusion, and 
climbing high among the branches of the 
trees. 

The Charleston phosphates afford interest 
to the agriculturist and the naturalist, who 
should not fail to visit the region of theif 
whereabouts. A recent work says : 

" In this region are found the most won- 
derful remains of ancient and extinct species 
of animals. There are whole acres richly 
studded with fossils. Among these have been 
recognized the bones of the Mammoth, Mas- 
todon, Megatherium, Mylodon, Megalonyx, 
Phocodon, and several varieties of the Sauri ; 
also teeth and bones of the shark, and numer- 
ous other fishes in great variety ; also teeth 
and bones of the horse, dog, sheep, ox and 
hog, differing but little, if at all, from those 
belonging to our present domestic animals. 
Pieces of pottery have been discovered com- 
bined with stone hatchets, etc., in the same 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. yy 

bed, and almost identical in their character 
with remains of the extinct animals, etc., 
found some years since, near Abbeville, in 
France. It is said that human bones were 
found, but the evidence to that effect is not 
positive. This strange collection, this sepul- 
ohre of the ages, where animals, now extinct, 
sleep side by side with others ; the ancestors, 
perhaps, of our daily companions — where men, 
beasts, reptiles and fishes, would seem to have 
found a common grave — these fossils occur in 
the post-pleiocene strata. They have been 
described in the scientific journals by Pro- 
fessor Holmes, whose articles attracted many 
savans ; among them, Agassiz, Count Portalis 
and Leidy." 

A visit to the Phosphate works in the vici- 
nity of the city, will well repay one. The 
rock can be procured in Charleston, without 
the labor of a journey to the diggings. The 
trade in fertilizers has assumed extensive pro- 
portions. Since its discovery, its production 
has reached a figure representing several 
millions of dollars annually. 

No one should leave Charleston without 



^.8 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

visiting the numerous points of interest in the 
harbor, made memorable by the stubborn con- 
flicts between the Confederates and the forces 
of the Federal Army and Navy. The excur- 
sion to Forts Sumter and Moultrie, and to 
the batteries on Morris, Sullivan and James' 
Islands, is a delightful one, and can be safely 
made in the comfortable yacht Eleanor, which 
makes several trips daily from the Florida 
Steamship Wharf. 

SAVANNAH. 

The visitor will find Savannah a beautiful 
city, abounding in pleasant walks and drives. 
It is one of the most prosperous cities of the 
South ; one which does an enormous business 
in merchandize, cotton and lumber. Its 
wharves, during most of the year, are crowd- 
ded with vessels. 

The situation of Savannah, her perfect rail- 
road facilities, etc., guarantees her a brilliant 
future. She already receives nearly one sixth 
of the cotton crop, and new avenues to trade 
are constantly increasing. Much of the pros- 




< .1 

< * 

^ i 

^' I 

p 'i 

O 

w : 

S I 

02 ! 

< ; 
►^ ; 

£ i 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



79 



perity of the city can be directly traced to the 
liberal course pursued by the manager of her 
great railroad, '' The Georgia Central." This 
road, with its branches and connections, keeps 
up constant communication with Augusta, 
Macon, Atlanta, Columbus, Montgomery, and 
New Orleans, etc. ; it is pronounced to be the 
best-managed road in the Southern country. 

Savannah possesses several excellent hotels 
-■ — the Pulaski, long considered one of the best 
at the South, has recently been put in com- 
plete order — refurnished, and many improve- 
ments made in its interior. On the oppo- 
site side of Johnson Square, will be found the 
Screven House, which shares with the Pulas- 
ki a well-deserved popularity. It is admira- 
bly kept. 

The Pavihon, — beautifully situated on Bull 
Street, is now in the hands of Mr. Fernandez, 
whom visitors to the Pulaski in former years 
will no doubt remember. It is spoken of as 
excellently kept ; and its charges, as will be 
seen from the advertisement, are moderate. 



8o GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

Savannah derives its principal beauty from 
its wide streets flanked with magnificent 
trees. The oak, the magnolia, and the Pride 
of India, shade the way to pedestrians, making 
walking agreeable. Forsyth Park is un- 
doubtedly one of the prettiest spots in Amer- 
ica ; it is a favorite resort of the beati-monde of 
the city. At early evening the visitor will 
see the loveliest faces ; such beauties as will 
compare favorably with those of Baltimore. 

Several pleasant excursions can be made 
from Savannah ; one to Bonaventure, a beau- 
tiful cemetery, shaded by the most remarka- 
ble grove of live-oaks in the world. Those 
splendid trees flank the avenues; their 
branches interlacing high overhead, thus form- 
ing arches whose symmetry is admirable. 
From every branch hang festoons of Spanish 
moss, looking as though the whole grove 
were draped in mourning in respect to the 
dead Vv^ho repose within their everlasting 
shadow. The place is beautiful beyond des- 
cription ; it impresses the visitor with gloomy 
thoughts ; one feels relieved when, emerging 
therefrom, he visits Thunderbolt, where on 




FOESYTH PARK, SAVANNAH. (To face p. 80. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 8 1 

the pleasant bank of the Vernon river his 
gloom is soon overcome. The oysters found 
there are excellent, and a lunch or dinner can 
at all times be obtained. The ladies need not 
be afraid of the milk-punches ; they form a 
specialty of the place, and their fair sisters of 
Savannah consider them "quite the thing." 

White Bluff, ten miles from the city, is 
reached by an excellent well-shaded road ; a 
day can be agreeably spent there. Fish din- 
ners are the speciahty at Mrs. Sylvester's; 
they are such as Greenwich never gave to 
Londoners. 

From Charleston and Savannah, the fine 
New York built Steamers "Dictator" and 
" City Point " furnish a tri-weekly line to Flor- 
ida. We do not hesitate to pronounce the 
route the cheapest, safest and only comfort- 
able way of reaching the different resorts in 
that State. By any other route, many changes 
of conveyance are made imperative ; causing 
great inconvenience and suffering to the in- 
vahd traveller. By embarking on the "Dic- 
tator " or " City Point " this is avoided, and the 
visitor is landed, without change of convey- 



82 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

ance at the very doors of the principal hotels 
of Florida. The steamers proceed directly 
to:— 

Fernandina, 

Jacksonville, 

Magnolia, 

Green Cove Springs, 

Picolata, 

Tocoi, 

Palatka, 

Connecting with cars at Tocoi for — 

St. Augustine, 

And at Palatka with comfortable steamers 
for — 

Enterprise, 

Mellonville, 

Sanford, 

and the Indian River Country, as well as with 
boats for the Oclawaha River 

These steamers are prepared expressly for 
the Florida route, and are unsurpassed for 
speed, safety, and comfort. They are under 
the command of experienced officers, Cap- 
tains Vogel and Fitzgerald, who have spent 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 83 

most of their life on this route, never meeting 
with an accident during the many years of 
their service thereon. 

A large sum was spent, last summer, in re- 
fitting these vessels with new boilers, and in 
supplying them with the latest improvements 
for comfort and convenience. The state- 
rooms are clean and comfortable, whilst the 
table is provided with every luxurj^ that 
Charleston, Savannah, and Florida markets 
can produce. 

Leaving Charleston in the evening, the 
steamers arrive at Savannah early in the 
morning, and leave soon after for Fernandina. 
Possessing great speed, they rapidly run along 
the Sea Islands of Georgia ; and, as westerly 
winds prevail during the winter, the traveler 
is — from the smoothness of the sea, and the 
balmy temperature of the air — reminded of 
the Mediterranean. The effect is beneficial to 
the invalid, whose strength is renewed, and 
appetite increased by the change ; so much so, 
as to do justice to the excellent meals supplied 
by the steamers. New York supplies them 
with beef, mutton, and poultry ; whilst Florida, 



84 GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 

Georgia, and South Carolina, are put under 
contribution for fish and game. 

We have known several persons who, for 
months before leaving home, were unable to 
eat a good repast, heartily enjoy their meals 
during the entire trip from Charleston to 
Florida, arriving at their destination much im- 
proved, and in striking contrast to others who 
were half the winter in recovering from the 
fatigues of reaching the St. John's river by 
land. 

A uniform temperature is kept up in the sa- 
loons and state-rooms of the vessels, which are 
heated by steam. This will be appreciated 
by those who have experienced the varied 
temperature in railway cars, heated by a 
stove. 

The decks of the "Dictator," and "City 
Point," in the traveling season, present an ani- 
mated appearance, as the vessel glides along 
the coast of Georgia. The passengers group 
about, conversing on the subject of their voy- 
age ; listening to the experience of those who 
are familiar with the localities to be visited ; 
or whiling away the hours playing cards or 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 85 

chess, etc. Boston, New York, and Philadel- 
phia, are often found represented in the same 
party ; and under the pleasant influences of the 
southern air, good fellowship prevails. The 
invalids, who find themselves in better health 
and spirits, propose hunting and fishing par- 
ties to the Indian River, and elsewhere. In- 
deed, the very nature of the conversation, and 
the hopeful looks of the sufferers, tell, already, 
the effects of the climate. 



FERNANDINA. 

In the evening, the steamer reaches Fer- 
nandina, which is beautifully situated on Ame- 
lia Island. It possesses an excellent harbor, 
easy of access to vessels of large tonnage ; it ^ 
has a considerable and increasing trade in 
cotton and lumber. It is the terminus of the 
railroad to Cedar Keys, where a line of 
steamers connects it with Havana and New 
Orleans. 

The Ridell House and Norwood House are 
well-kept establishments. 

From Fernandina, the traveler can reach 



86 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

Quincy, Tallahassee, Live Oak and other 
points on the interior, by the " Jacksonville, 
Pensacola, and Mobile Railroad." 



ST. JOHN'S RIVER. 

A FEW hours after leaving Fernandina, the 
steamer enters the beautiful St. John's. Near 
the entrance is to be seen the St. John's Bluff, 
the site of Fort Caroline, and of the scenes 
rendered memorable by the massacres of 
Spaniard and Huguenot. The officers of the 
steamers are well versed in the history of the 
country, and are willing to impart much in- 
teresting information to the traveler. They 
will always be found ready to promote the 
welfare of the travelers, and to make the trip a 
comfortable and pleasant one. Ladies and 
children are especially cared for by an atten- 
tive stewardess, whose duty it is to see that 
their wants are supplied. 

The trip up the St. John's is unlike any 
other — the river presenting scenes entirely 
novel. The stream is in most places two miles 
in width, and often spreads out into great 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. %y 

lakes from twelve to twenty miles wide. The 
St. John's is undoubtedly the most beautiful 
of southern rivers, and was well named by the 
Indians " the String of Pearls." The steamer 
makes the trip from the mouth of the river to 
Palatka in about six hours, stopping at all the 
principal landings, which we shall now des- 
cribe. 

JACKSONVILLE. 

This is the most important town in Florida, 
and is the great entrepot of the trade of the 
middle and eastern sections of the State. Its 
communication with the interior is perfect, 
not only by the St. John's River, but also by 
an extended line of railway, connecting it with 
Tallahassee and other important places. Were 
this road and its branches managed in the in- 
terest of Jacksonville, a very large cotton 
trade would centre here ; but, at present, the 
strange spectacle is presented of an important 
sea-port, the natural outlet of the product of 
an enormous extent of the finest cotton-fields 
in the South, doing comparatively nothing in 
the great staple. We learn an effort is being 
made by the merchants of Jacksonville, which 



88 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

cannot but receive the support of every one 
interested in the future of the city and state, 
to bring back to its natural channel a business 
vs^hich would create a degree of prosperity 
little dreamed of. As it is, Jacksonville can 
boast the most progressive business commu- 
nity of any town of its size in the South, and 
the rapid strides it has made within the past 
few years, would do credit to any city of the 
North or West. 

Jacksonville is the centre of the great lum- 
ber trade of Florida ; it employs an immense 
number of vessels carrying cargoes of South- 
ern pine to all parts of the world. These, and 
the innumerable steamers plying on the St. 
John's, gives the river a most animated and 
agreeable appearance. 

During the past two years, the number of 
visitors to Jacksonville has doubled ; but, for- 
tunately the hotel accommodations have kept 
pace with the demand. 

The Grand National is an excellent Hotel re- 
cently completed and admirably situated, com- 
manding an extended view of the river. Its 
proprietor, Mr. McGinley is a celebrated host 
at the South. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



89 



The " St. James " is a fine building, of im- 
posing appearance, capable of accommodating 
about three hundred guests. It contains 
many large, well furnished, and comfortable 
apartments, and is very highly spoken of. 
Its present proprietor is Mr. J. B. Campbell, 
of Massachusetts, which fact alone will carry to 
it many guests. 

The " Metropolitan," situated close to the 
landing place of the Florida steamers, is also a 
new hotel, well appointed and admirably kept. 

There are also numerous boarding houses, 
said to be exceedingly good, and where the 
prices are reasonable. The best are said to 
be, Mrs. Hudnall's, St. John's House ; Mrs. 
Buffington's ; Mrs. Atkins', and Mrs. Day's ; 
whilst the "■ Sisters of St. Joseph " have a 
house apart from their Academy, where a 
moderate number can be accommodated and 
made very comfortable. 

The traveler will be able to spend the time 
very agreeably at Jacksonville. There is a 
dail}^ communication with the North, and let- 
ters and newspapers are regularly received. 
The telegraph is also in operation, affording, 



90 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



at all times, the means of immediate intelli- 
gence. At the ''Ambler Bank" one can ne- 
gotiate his business, whilst Adams' Express is 
at hand to take charge of the parcels. Boat- 
ing, sailing, and drives to the pleasant suburbs 
of the town, will help to wile away the days. 

Before leaving for the interior, it would be 
well to provide such little supplies as old 
travelers are wont to make. The gentlemen 
will find at Bettelini and Togni's an excellent 
supply of wines and delicacies. This is ex- 
plained, when we say they have one or two 
vessels trading between Jacksonville and 
France, bringing them an unadulterated sup- 
ply of various kinds. The ladies will find at 
Furchgott, Benedict & Co.'s a good selection 
of dry goods, etc. ; and at Greenleaf 's, a stock 
of Florida curiosities, from which selections of 
souvenirs of their trip can be obtained, such 
as alligator teeth, St. Augustine sea-beans, 
curlew wings, plumes for hats, etc., etc. 

ST. JOHN'S RIVER. 

The trip up the river is one of the most 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



91 



delightful possible. By the way, it should 
not be forgotten that " up the river," is down 
the river, as the St. John's rises in the Ever- 
glades south, and flows almost due north ; the 
reverse of the course pursued by most rivers 
in the world. 

The shores of the St. John's are wanting in 
what forms the great beauty of the Hudson — ■ 
the hills and mountains, to enhance the grand- 
eur of the landscape. Here the banks seldom 
rise more than twenty feet above its placid 
waters. The scene is, however, most pictur- 
esque ; and, as the steamer glides over the 
mirror-like surface, the passengers are loud 
in their expressions of admiration. From 
time to time groves of orange trees, cov- 
ered with golden fruit, are passed — the con- 
trast between them and the forests of oak, 
pine, and cypress, which fringe the shores, 
making an agreeable variety. 

MANDARIN. 

Mandarin, the first landing-place of any im- 
portance, is a small village on the east bank, 



Q2 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

nearly an hour's sail from Jacksonville. It is 
one of the earliest settlements, but suffered 
much during the Indian troubles. It pos- 
sesses several fine orange groves, one of the 
finest of which belongs to Mrs. Harriet 
Beecher Stow.e, who spends her winters here. 
Several Indian mounds are to be found in the 
neighborhood. 

HIBERNIA. 

Hibernia, about 8 miles further on, is one 
of the most pleasant resorts. Mrs. Fleming 
has here an excellent house. The country 
about abounds in beautiful groves of oak, etc. 

MAGNOLIA. 

Magnolia, 27 miles from Jacksonville, on 
the Avest bank, is a prepossessing place, which 
possesses an excellent and well - patronized 
hotel, one much resorted to by Northern 
visitors. 

GREEN COVE SPRINGS. 

On rounding Magnolia Point, the steamer 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. Q3 

enters a beautiful bay where, in full view, lies 
Green Cove Springs, the Saratoga of the 
St. John's. It is already a favorite resort, 
which possesses several of the best hotels in 
Florida. Its importance is assured; and sev- 
eral w^ealthy families have expressed the in- 
tention of building winter residences in its 
neighborhood. 

The '' Clarendon House " is admirably kept 
by Harris, Applegate & Co. It has attached 
to it the celebrated Warm Sulphur Spring — 
the great attraction to the place. The spring 
discharges 3,000 gallons of water per minute, 
at a temperature of 78°. This water is said 
to be as valuable for its medicinal properties as 
that of Sharon or Richfield, and is reported to 
have effected many remarkable cures. The 
*' Union House " is also a first-class hotel, ex- 
tensively patronized by New Yorkers and 
Bostonians. 

PICOLATA. 

Picolata is the site of a Spanish settlement, 
made shortly after the founding of St. Agus- 
tine. It consists of but one house. 



94 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 



TOCOI. 



Tocoi is the terminus of the St. Augustine 
Railroad ; it is here that passangers for that 
city disembark. The road in question, we 
learn, has been put in good order, and the 
managers promise a quick and comfortable 
transit to the ancient city. 

ORANGE MILLS. 

is about 65 miles from Jacksonville, and is 
prettily located on the east bank. Mr. Cole's 
residence here is surrounded by orange 
groves. 

PALATKA. 

Palatka, the terminus of the route of the 
"Dictator" and "• City Point," is a flourishing 
town of about fifteen hundred inhabitants. It 
is situated on the west bank of the St. John's, 
75 miles from Jacksonville, Passengers, bound 
beyond, are transferred to the steamer " Star- 
light " and other boats bound for Enterprise, 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 95 

Mellonville, Indian River, etc., as well as for 
all other points on the Ocklawaha. Palatka 
is highly recommended by physicians as a 
resort for invalids. 

Palatka possesses two excellent hotels— the 
"St. John's "and the "Putnam House." A 
recent writer in Harper s thus describes his 
experience at the former. Arriving at Pa- 
latka he found the " Starlight " so crowded 
that no state-room was to be had. 

" This apparent misfortune proved our 
greatest happiness ; for, lying over at Palatka, 
at the St. John's Hotel, we obtained delicious 
food wherewith to assuage the pangs of hun- 
ger. Think not, good reader, this is an un- 
necessary exhibition of feeling over a small 
matter ; for great had been our suffering, and 
great was our delight. Delicious waffles, 
noble wild turkey (nobly served), tender lamb, 
adolescent chicken, light, sweet bread, pota- 
toes, green pease, and other delicacies that 
ravished the heart and made glad the diges- 
tive apparatus." 

The same writer describes the trip on the 
* Starlight" to Enterprise thus: 



p6 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

''As the steamer plowed along its narrow 
channels, the water rushing in to fill the 
vacuum she made, would sway the countless 
lily-pads and bending terns to and fro, some- 
times baptizing them with its generous flood. 
The forest trees were the same all along the 
way. Cypress, maple, pine, and live-oak, 
while the palmetto would sometimes choke 
out the other growths, and send forth, for 
acres around, its umbrella-shaped tops. The 
vines grew everywhere, and along the banks 
would trail in masses, sweeping the dark 
waters with their leafy fringe. Often the 
dead, gaunt form of some toAvering pine 
would rise above its fellows ; and here the os- 
prey would leave his nest, secure from harm ; 
and then, sitting upon some outstretched limb, 
would dash from his height into the waters 
and bear his prey aloft to his waiting offspring. 

" Now and then the steamer would shoot 
into a more open space, and where there did 
not appear to be any outlet — where the bow 
of the boat seemed about to be crushed 
against the land ; but it parted before us, and 
what appeared to have been the solid earth 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



97 



was but a floating island, which went dancing 
and torn in the wake behind us, its long roots 
thrown up to the troubled surface of the 
water. At every turn in the river — and it 
had an endless twist and turn — the tall forms 
of the blue-and-white heron would rise from 
the shallow waters and fly before us. 

" Thousands of ducks were feeding among 
the water plants ; and not seldom it was a 
comical sight when, coming suddenly upon 
them, they would attempt to rise ; but, too fat 
to achieve speedy flight, would tremble and 
flutter, and finally scamper away into the tall 
weeds. Later in the day, the sun came out, 
and then the torpid bodies of huge alligators 
would be seen lying on the banks. To me the 
most charming feature of the trip to Enter- 
prise was the presence of the large birds I saw 
for the first time. Nothing could be more 
beautiful than the flocks of white swan, curlew, 
cygnets, and heron constantly rising before 
us." 

The Putnam House has the past year had 
added to it a large number of comfortable 
rooms, spacious dining-room, etc., and is most 
liberally conducted. 



93 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



ENTERPRISE. 



Enterprise possesses a large well-kept 
hotel, the Brock House, the head-quarters 
of the sportsmen who rendezvous here to 
perfect their arrangements for excursions into 
the surrounding country. Small steamers 
sail-boats, etc., can be chartered there at 
moderate rates, with experienced persons to 
guide the stranger through the hunting- 
grounds, or to the best fisheries on Indian 
River. 

No part of the United States, nor of 
North America, affords finer sport than 
Florida. Game of all kinds abounds. 

It is during the cold season, when the 
northern sportsmen are confined indoors, 
that the game is most plentiful in Florida. 
Deer, bear, wild cat, raccoon, 'possum, wild 
turkey, ducks, geese, snipe, woodcock, quails, 
partridge, and curlews, are plentiful, and offer 
fine hunting ; while the rivers, bays, and lakes, 
invite the stranger to the pleasures of the rod, 
filled as they are with schools of the finest fish. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



99 



Enterprise is 200 miles south of Jacksonville. 
Its climate is, consequently, much milder — 
frost being almost unknown. 

In the vicinity are some fine orange groves, 
whilst a remarkable sulphur spring, of great 
extent, and nearly a hundred feet in depth, is 
the curiosity of the place. 

On the opposite shore of Lake Munroe is 



MELLONVILLE. 

Mellonville affords good accommodation to 
the visitor. It possesses several hotels and 
boarding-houses. Its orange groves are 
among the largest and most productive in 
Florida. 



lOO GUIDE TO FLORIDA 



SANFORD. 

Extending from Mellon ville, five miles along 
Lake Munroe, and down the St. John's, is 
" Sanford's Grant." It is owned by Henry S. 
Sanford, our former Minister to Belgium. 
He has located here the town of Sanford, 
which commands the traffic of the river, 
and the rich agricultural country back of it. 
It is destined to be the most important place in 
the Upper St. John's. Mr. Sanford has laid 
out roads, built mills, and brought over near 
one hundred Swedes, who have formed a 
flourishing colony, where they have secured 
permanent labor, and demonstrated the health- 
fulness of the climate. Mr. Sanford has 
large plantations of bananas ; one of which, 
St. Gertrude, is of loo acres, the- largest on 
the Continent. His idea is to prove that 
capital, applied to the production of semi- 
tropical fruits in Florida, will not only be 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. jqi 

remunerative, but that Florida can make us 
independent of the world for those products. 

At Sanford is located the Mellon ville Post- 
office. There is a fine Episcopal Church, 
with the only spire to be seen between Key 
West and St. Augustine. Its parsonage is 
nearly completed. It is being erectea by 
Mrs. Sanford, who is helped by friendly con- 
tributions. A large school-house is to be 
erected there ; and a first-class hotel, in con- 
templation, will be located near the Warm 
Sulphur Springs of St Gertrude. 

One of these springs, which made its ap- 
pearance in January, 1872, is said to be of 
greater volume than that at Green Cove 
Springs. The salubriousness and mildness of 
the climate of Sanford, the beauty of the 
country, its miles of lovely drives through 
the pine openings, interspersed with beautiful 
lakes, with unbounded resources for the 
sportsman, etc., points this out as destined to 
be a favorite place of resort for the Northerner 
who seeks health, combined with relaxation, 
from business. 

As for the orange, the experience of the 



102 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

past few years has demonstrated that the 
south side of Lake Munroe is the best por- 
tion, on the St. John's, for its culture, as it is 
protected from the north wind by that large 
body of tepid water beyond the reach of in- 
jurious frosts. 

Back of Sanford are several groves much 
frequented by visitors, and said to produce 
$2,000 worth of oranges per acre. Many new 
groves are being laid out, in and about the 
place. 

ST. AUGUSTINE. 

We must now return to Tocoi, and take 
the cars for St. Augustine. On a fine day, 
the three hours' ride through the pines is a 
pleasant one. 

St. Augustine, historically, is the most 
interesting city in Florida, while its quaint 
appearance makes it different from any other 
city in the land. It was an important town 
half a century before the landing of the pil- 
grims. In the preceding chapters, the reader 
will find recorded most of the important 
events which mark its history. 




FORTIFICATION IN ST. AUGVSTINE. (To face p. 102.) 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



103 



The St. Augustine Hotel, the Florida 
House ane the Magnolia House are the 
principal ones ; they are excellently kept. Nu- 
merous boarding-houses also afford good ac- 
commodation, at moderate prices. 

St. Augustine is the point-de-mire of Florida. 
To visit the State, without seeing its quaint 
old city, would be like traveling through Italy 
without entering the gates of Rome. 

St. Augustine is unlike any other city of 
this continent ; yet, it must be acknowledged 
that, the innovations are gradually effacing its 
Spanish or Moresque peculiarities. Already 
the customs are Americanized ; the Spanish 
cavalier is of the past , so is the duena, and 
the senorita, whom she so carefully guarded. 

But there are monuments of its founders 
which have withstood time, and whose soli- 
dity of construction has not been affected by 
the elements — monuments which tell of past 
glories, and of the high state of the military 
art of engineering, at the date of the settle- 
ment of St. Augustine. 

Rev. H. Clay Trumbull describes the city 
as follows : 



104 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

" Its principal building material is a unique 
conglomerate of fine shells and sand, known as 
coquina rock, found in large quantities on 
Anastasia Island, at the entrance of the har- 
bor, and which is easily cut in blocks to be 
laid in courses, and perhaps covered over 
with stucco. The streets are quite narrow ; 
one, which is nearly a mile long, being but 
fifteen feet wide, and that on which a principal 
hotel stands being but twelve feet, while the 
widest of all is but twenty-five feet. An ad- 
vantage of these narrow streets in this warm 
climate is, that they give shade, and increase 
the draft of air through them as through a 
flue. Indeed, some of the streets seem almost 
like a flue, rather than an open way ; for many 
of the houses, with high roof and dormer win- 
dows, have hanging balconies along their 
second story, which seem almost to touch each 
other over the narrow street ; and the families 
sitting in these of a warm evening, can chat 
confidentially, or even shake hands with their 
over-the-way neighbors. 

"The street walls of the houses are frequent- 
ly extended in front of the side garden — the 




*' OLD ENTRANCE (^ATE," ST. AUGUSTINE. (To face p. 105). 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



105 



house roof, and perhaps a side balcony, cover- 
ing this extension ; or the houses are built 
around uncovered courts, so that, passing 
through the main door of a building, you find 
3'ourself still in the open air, instead of within 
the dwelling. These high and solid garden 
walls are quite common along the principal 
streets; and an occasional latticed door gives 
you a peep into the attractive area beyond 
the massive structure, with perhaps a show of 
huge stone arches, or of a winding staircase 
between heavy stone columns, or of a profu- 
sion of tropical vegetation in the winter gar- 
den, bringing to mind the stories in poem and 
romance of the loves of Spanish damsels, and 
of stolen interviews at the garden gate, or 
elopements by means of the false key or the 
bribed porter. The principal streets were 
formerly well paved or floored with shell con- 
crete, portions of which are still to be seen 
above the shifting sand ; and this flooring was 
so carefully swept, that the dark-eyed maidens 
of old Castile, who then led in society here, 
could pass and repass without soiling their 
satin slippers. No rumbling wheels were per- 

5* 



I06 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

mitted to crush the firm road-bed, or to whirl 
the dust into the airy verandas, where, in un- 
disturbed repose, sat the indolent Spanish 
dons and dames. 

** Built as a military town, the city was for- 
merly walled across its northern end ; which 
sufficiently protected it, as it stands on a pen- 
insula nearly surrounded by the St. Sebastian 
River and St. Augustine Bay. The gateway 
of the old wall still stands, and is quite an im- 
posing ruin, with ornamented lofty towers and 
loopholed sentry-boxes. The ditch before the 
old wall (or possibly it was a stockade, except 
at the gateways) is clearly marked, and even 
yet partially filled at high tides. It runs from 
shore to shore, and was evidently broad and 
deep. The old fort, once called San Juan, 
then St. Marco, but now known as Fort 
Marion, is a curiosity. It stands on the sea- 
front, at the upper end of the town, the wall 
or stockade formerly running from it to the 
gateway, and west to the river. Its material 
is the inevitable coquina rock. It was a hun- 
dred years in building. While owned by the 
British, it was said to be the " prettiest fort in 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. iqj 

the king's dominion." Its castellated battle- 
ments; its formidable bastions, with their 
frowning guns; its lofty and imposing sall}^- 
port, surrounded by the royal Spanish arms ; 
its portcullis, moat, drawbridge ; its circular 
and ornate sentry-boxes at each principal par- 
apet-angle ; its commanding look-out tower ; 
and its stained and moss-grown massive walls 
— impress the external observer as a relic of 
the distant past ; while a ramble through 
its heavy casemates; its crumbling Romish 
chapel, with elaborate portico and inner altar, 
and holy- water niches ; its dark passages, 
gloomy vaults, and more recently discovered 
dungeons— brings you to ready credence of 
its many traditions of inquisitorial tortures, of 
decaying skeletons found in the latest-opened 
chambers, chained to the rusty ringbolts, and 
of alleged subterranean passages to the neigh- 
boring convent. 

''These stories lose none of their force by 
being recited in the fitful light of the dim lamp 
of your military guide, as you follow him into 
the damp and noisome recesses to the echo of 
your own foot-fall, or the grating lock and 



I08 GUIDE TO FLORIDA, 

creaking hinge of the slow-swinging ancient 
doors. Many a dark tally-list on the molder- 
ing walls, or a rudely-execnted sketch, shows 
how the dragging days were noted or em- 
ployed by weary prisoners of long ago ; and 
the narrow loopholes are shown through 
which the two Seminole chiefs attempted 
their escape, one making it good, and the 
other sticking fast in the crevice until he was 
rescued with barely his life remaining. At 
the time of Gen. Oglethorpe's attack on St. 
Augustine, the old fort, or castle as it was 
then called, stood a bombardment of thirty- 
eight days from batteries erected on Anastasia 
Island. But the injury to the fort was only 
slight ; for the spongy walls of coquina re- 
ceived and imbedded the heavy shot, as would 
the embankment of a modern earthwork. The 
marks left by the shot are plainly seen to-day. 
But time is at length doing its work with the 
old fort. Its walls are showing huge fissures, 
and on recent inspection it was declared unfit 
for further defensive service. 

** In the buildings of the town are some re- 
mains of elegance, as well as much of antiquity. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 109 

The cathedral is unique, with its belfry, in the 
form of a section of a bell-shaped pyramid, its 
chime of four bells in separate niches, and its 
clock, together forming a cross. The oldest 
of these bells is marked 1682. The old con- 
vent of St. Mary's is a suggestive relic of the 
days of papal rule. The new convent is a 
tasteful building of the ancient coquina. The 
United States' barracks, recently remodeled 
and improved, are said to have been built as a 
convent or monastery. The old government 
house, or palace, is now in use as the post- 
office and United States' court-rooms. At its 
rear is a well-preserved relic of what seems to 
have been a fortification to protect the town 
from an over-the-river or inland attack. An 
older house than this, formerly occupied by 
the attorney-general, was pulled down a few 
years ago. Its ruins are still a curiosity, and 
are called (though incorrectly) the governor's 
house, 

^' The * Plaza de la Constitution ' is a fine 
public square in the centre of the town, on 
which stand the ancient markets, and which is 
faced b}^ the cathedral, the old palace, the 



no G UIDE TO FL CRT DA . 

convent, a modern Episcopal church, and 
other fine structures. In the centre of the 
plaza stands a monument, erected hi honor of 
the Spanish Liberal Constitution. When the 
Constitution was abolished, these monuments 
in all dominions of the crown were to be des- 
troyed ; but a compromise was effected on 
this by the removal of the inscribed tablets. 
On the cession of Florida to the United States, 
the long-concealed tablets were brought from 
their hiding-places, and re-inserted in the 
monument. On this plaza were burned effi- 
gies of John Hancock and Samuel Adams, 
early in our Revolution, while the British held 
Florida. 

" The old Huguenot burying-ground is a 
spot of much interest ; so is the military bury- 
ing-ground, where rest the remains of those 
who fell near here during the prolonged 
Seminole war. Under three pyramids of co- 
quina, stuccoed and whitened, are the ashes 
of Major Dade and one hundred and seven 
men of his command, who were massacred by 
Osceola and his band. A fine sea-wall of 
nearly a mile in length, built of coquina with 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. m 

a coping of granite, protects the entire ocean 
front of the city, and furnishes a delightful 
promenade of a moonlight evening. In full 
view of this is the old light-house on Anasta- 
sia Island, built more than a century ago, and 
now surmounted with a fine revolving lantern. 

" The street names, Cuna, St. Hypolita, 
Tolomato, St. George's, and the like, have an 
ancient and a foreign smack about them ; while 
the family names, such as Dumas, Fatio, Her- 
nandez, Oliverez, Alveres, Monardi, Segui, 
Andrea, Sanchez, Medices, and Bravo, mark 
it as any thing but American in its origin. 
Some of the Roman Catholic customs of car- 
nival and evening serenades before Easter are 
still kept up by the Minorcan population." 

** A word as to these people, who constitute 
no inconsiderable portion of the present popu- 
lation of St. Augustine. While Florida was 
in possession of the English, a Dr. Turnbull 
went to Greece, and received permission to 
transport such families as chose to go to 
Florida. Obtaining a small number, not 
enough for his proposed colony, he halted at 
the Islands of Corsica and Minorca in the 



112 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

Mediterranean, where over a thousand joined 
his company. They landed just inside of 
Mosquito Inlet, at New Smyrna, some seven- 
ty-five miles south of St. Augustine. Turn- 
bull soon became imperious, and by the aid of 
a few immediate friends reduced these patient, 
hard-working people to a state of slavery, as- 
signing them tasks under overseers, and treat- 
ing them in the most shameful manner. His 
promises of lands and creature comforts, made 
at the time of their joining his expedition, 
were disregarded, and with acquired wealth 
came added austerity and hardships for these 
now dependent people. Thus for nine years 
they were in bondage, when, stung to resist- 
ance, they assembled clandestinely, and march- 
ed in a body to St. Augustine, where they 
were kindly received, and allowed to remain. 
They form a very quiet class, attentive to 
their own affairs, and never meddhng with 
their neighbors. They are intelligent and in- 
dustrious, and some have acquired considera- 
ble property. 

" There are a few fine residences in St. Au- 
gustine ; and these, with their ample surround- 




CATHOLIC CATHEDEAL, ST. AUGUSTINE. (To face p. 112) 



GUIDE TO FLO BID A. 



113 



ings and beautiful gardens, give a heightened 
interest to the place. Senator Gilbert has a 
summer residence here, the first as you enter 
the town, by the bridge, on the right ; then 
Buckingham Smith's, nearly opposite, and Dr. 
Bronson's on the plaza, with others, are beau- 
tiful homes. A profusion of tropical plants, 
and shrubs, and trees, ornament their grounds. 
Here the orange flourishes, and is abundant 
and delicious : several fine groves invite the 
visitor's inspection. The fig, and date, and 
palm, and banana, are all seen here, as also 
the lime and lemon, which grow to a great 
size, and the sweet and wild olive ; the citron, 
the guava (from which a delicious jelly is 
made), and the pomegranate, are all indige- 
nous. This is the home of the grape, and 
peaches luxuriate in this climate, as likewise 
the Japan plum. 

'' Besides the gardens spoken of, we see few 
flowers ; and this is what quite astonishes us 
in this " land of flowers," where they grow so 
easily, and with so little care that there seems 
no excuse why all the gardens should not have 
these simple yet beautiful adornings. 



114 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

*' For many years the town has been at a 
standstill, and property at a low figure. Good 
titles can with difficulty be obtained ; and this 
is now the great drawback to the improve- 
ment of the place, though within a few years 
Northern people have been coming in and 
taking such titles as were offered. One gen- 
tleman, Mr. Howard, from New York, has 
within a year past invested near fifty thousand 
dollars in real estate in the city, which is be- 
ginning to feel the effects of this healthful in- 
flux, property having already risen to four- 
fold its value five years ago, and still not high. 
The residence of Senator Gilbert, before al- 
luded to, was bought by him at the close of 
the war, as we are informed, for about eight 
thousand dollars, and we judge worth forty 
now. This place has several acres of ground 
in it. 

" The longer one remains in this antique 
town, the more he is attached to it: at least, 
this was our experience. It improves on ac- 
quaintance. The plaza, or public square, 
affords a pleasant retreat from the sand, which 
everywhere else covers the place. Here are 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



115 



shade-trees, and the firm green turf and 
benches, whereon the visitor may lounge and 
idle away the hours. At the foot of the 
square, which fronts on the bay, is the market- 
house, so entirely different from those else- 
where seen ; being here neat, airy, and at- 
tractive. It consists of a roof supported by 
brick pillars, a half-dozen on either side, Avith 
a floor of the same material, and is altogether 
unique in appearance. 

" The number of strangers here greatly ex- 
ceeded our expectations, and thronged in 
every street and public place. The fashiona- 
ble belle of Newport and Saratoga, and the 
pale, thoughtful, and furloughed clergyman 
of New England, were at all points encoun- 
tered. The meeting of friends whom we had 
not seen for years, and others whom we had 
never met, but yet could call our name, seem- 
ed strange and quite a dream." 



Il6 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



OCKLAWAHA RIVER. 



At Palatka, the tourist to Florida will do 
well to call upon Captain Adams, the gentle- 
manly agent of .the Dictator and City Point, 
— from him he can learn how best to employ 
his time, and which are the most interesting 
points to visit. Should the visitor decide upon 
taking a trip on the Ocklawaha, he will be 
certain to enjoy a most novel excursion ; of 
late the number desiring to visit this romantic 
stream has so increased, that the owners of 
the steamers have felt authorized to increase 
their passenger accommodations, adding two 
new and comfortable steamers to the line. 

The following excellent description of a 
trip on the Ocklawaha is from Appleton's Pic- 
turesque America, which contains the most 
faithful scenes of Florida that have ever been 
portrayed : 

'"'■ A sail of twenty miles along the St. John's 
brought us, a httle before sunrise, to the 
mouth of the Ocklawaha River, looking 
scarcely wide enough to admit a skiff, much 



-J 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



117 



less a steamboat. As daylight increased, we 
found that we were passing through a dense 
cypress-swamp, and that the channel selected 
had no banks, but was indicated by " blazed " 
marks on the trunks of the towering trees. 
There was plenty of water, however, to float 
our craft, but it was a queer kind of navig- 
ation, for the hull of the steamer went bump- 
ing against one cypress-butt, then another, 
suggesting to the tyro in this kind of aquatic 
adventure that possibly he might be wrecked, 
and subjected, even if he escaped a watery 
grave, to a miserable death, through the 
agency of mosquitoes, buzzards, and huge al- 
ligators. 

As we wound along through the dense 
vegetation, a picture of novel interest pre- 
sented itself at every turn. We came occa- 
sionally to a spot a little elevated above the 
dead-water level, covered with a rank growth 
of lofty palmetto, the very opposite, in every 
respect, to those stunted, storm-blown speci- 
mens which greeted us at the mouth of the 
St. John's River. Here they shot up tall and 
slender, bearing aloft innumerable parasites, 



Il8 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

often surprising the eye with patches, of a 
half-mile in length, of the convolvulus, in a 
solid mass of beautiful blossoms. 

Another sharp turn, and the wreck of an 
old dead cypress is discovered, its huge limbs 
covered with innumerable turkey-buzzards, 
which are waiting patiently for the decom- 
position of an alligator that some suc- 
cessful sportsman has shot, and left for the 
prey of these useful but disgusting birds. 
The sunshine sparkles in the spray which our 
awkward yet efficient craft drives from its 
prow, and then we enter what seems to be a 
cavern, where the sun never penetrates. The 
tree-tops interlace, and the tangled vines and 
innumerable parasites have made a solid mass 
overhead. 

The swamps of Florida are as rich in birds 
as in vegetation. It is no wonder that Audu- 
bon here found one of the finest fields from 
which to enrich his great works of natural 
history. A minute list of the varieties we 
sometimes saw in a single day would fill a 
page. One of the most attractive was the 
water-turkey, or snake-bird, which was every- 






GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 119 

where to be met with, sitting upon some pro- 
jecting limb overlooking the water, the body 
as carefully as possible concealed from view, 
its head and long neck projecting out, and 
moving constantly like a black snake in search 
of its prey. Your curiosity is excited ; you 
would examine the creature more critically, 
and you fire, at what seems a short, point- 
blank shot. The bird falls, apparently help- 
less, in the water ; you row rapidly to secure 
your prize, when, a hundred yards ahead, you 
suddenly see the snaky head of the '' darter " 
just protruding above the surface of the 
water. In an instant its lungs are filled with 
air, and, disappearing again, it reaches a place 
of safety. 

Another conspicuous bird is the large white 
crane. It is a very effective object in the 
deep shadows of the cypress, as it proudly 
stalks about, eyeing with fantastic look the 
finny tribes it hunts for prey. Especially is it 
of service in seizing upon the young of the 
innumerable water-snakes which everywhere 
abound. With commendable taste, it seems 
to pay especial attention to the disgusting, 



120 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

slimy, juvenile moccasins, which have a taste 
for sunning themselves on harsh dried leaves 
of the stinted palmetto. 

But the prominent living object to the 
stranger in these out-of-the way places is the 
alligator, whose paradise is in the swamps of 
Florida. , Here he finds a climate that almost 
the year round suits his delicate constitution ; 
and, while his kindred in the Louisiana 
swamps find it necessary to retire into the 
mud to escape the cold of winter, the Florida 
representative of the tribe is happy in the en- 
jo3^ment of the upper world the year round. 
It was a comical and a provoking sight to see 
these creatures, when indisposed to get out 
of our way, turn up their piggish eyes in spec- 
ulative mood at the sudden interruption of a 
rifle-ball against their mailed sides, but all the 
while seemingly unconscious that any harm 
against their persons was intended. Like 
Achilles, however, they possess a vulnerable 
point, which is just in front of the spot where 
the huge head works upon the spinal column. 
There is, of necessity, at this place a joint in 
the armor, and a successful hunter, after much 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. \2\ 

experience, seldom lets one of the reptiles es- 
cape. If any philanthropist has ever objected 
to the slaughter, the circumstance is not re- 
membered in the swamps and everglades of 
Florida. On one occasion we fired into a 
herd of alligators, and the noise of two or 
three shots caused all but one to finally dis- 
appear. For some reason it seemed difficult 
to get the remaining one to move, the crea- 
ture lying with its head exposed to our gaze, 
looking as demoniac as possible. A bullet, 
which struck somewhere in the vicinity of its 
jaws, touched its feelings, and then, with a 
grunt not unlike that of a hog, it buried itself 
in the muddy water. This unwillingness to 
move was then explained by the appearance 
of a large number of young aUigators, which, 
in the confusion, came to the surface like so 
many chips. We had, without being aware 
of it, attacked the mother while she was pro- 
tecting her nest. 

In the vicinity of the alhgator's nest we 
came upon a primitive post-office, consisting 
of a cigar-box, bearing the magic letters 
" U. S. M.," nailed upon the face of an old 



122 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

cypress-tree. It was a sort of central point 
for the swampers, where they left their soiled 
notes and crooked writing to be conveyed to 
the places of destination by " whomever came 
along." We, desiring to act the part of a 
volunteer mail-carrier for the neighbourhood, 
peeped into the post-office, but there were no 
signs of letters ; so our good intentions were 
of no practical effect. 

Our little nondescript craft bumps along 
from one cypress-stump, and fetches up 
against a cypress-knee, as it is termed — sharp- 
pointed lances which grow up from the roots 
of the trees, seemingly to protect the trunk 
from too much outside concussion ; glancing 
off, it runs into a roosting-place of innumer- 
able cranes, or scatters the wild ducks and 
huge snakes over the surface of the water. A 
clear patch of the sky is seen, and the bright 
light of a summer evening is tossing the feath- 
ery crowns of the old cypress-trees into a 
nimbus of glory, while innumerable paro- 
quets, alarmed at our intrusion, scream out 
their fierce indignation, and then, flying away, 
flash upon our admiring eyes their green and 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 1 23 

golden plumage. It now begins to grow dark 
in earnest, and we become curious to know 
how our attentive pilot will safely navigate 
this mysterious channel in what is literally 
Egyptian darkness. While thus speculating, 
there flashes across the landscape a bright, 
clear light. From the most intense blackness 
we have a fierce, lurid glare, presenting the 
most extravagantly-picturesque groups of 
overhanging palmettos, draped with para- 
sites and vines of all descriptions ; prominent 
among the latter is the scarlet trumpet-creep- 
er, overburdened with wreaths of blossoms, 
and intertwined again with chaplets of purple 
and white convolvulus, the most minute de- 
tails of the objects near being brought out in 
a sharp red light against the deep tone of the 
forest's depths. But no imagination can con- 
ceive the grotesque and wierd forms which 
constantly force themselves on your notice as 
the light partially illuminates the limbs of 
wrecked or half-destroyed trees, which, cov- 
ered with moss, or wrapped in decayed vege- 
tation as a winding-sheet, seem huge unbur- 
ied monsters, which, though dead, still throw 



124 



GUIDE TO FLOP ID A. 



I 



about their arms in agony, and gaze through 
unmeaning eyes upon the intrusions of active, 
hving men. 

Another run of a half-mile brings us into 
the cypress again, the firelight giving new 
ideas of the picturesque. The tall shafts, 
more than ever shrouded in the hanging 
moss, look as if they had been draped in sad 
habiliments, while the wind sighed through 
the limbs ; and when the sonorous sounds of 
the alligators were heard, groaning and com- 
plaining, the sad, dismal picture of desolation 
was complete. 

A sharp contact with a palmetto-knee 
throws round the head of our nondescript 
steamer, and we enter what appears to be an 
endless colonnade of beautifully-proportioned 
shafts, running upward a hundred feet, roofed 
by pendent ornaments, suggesting the high- 
est possible effect of Gothic architecture. The 
delusion was increased by the waving stream- 
ers of the Spanish moss, which here and there, 
in great festoons of fifty feet in length, hung 
down like tattered but gigantic banners, 
worm-eaten and mouldy, sad evidences of the 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 12$ 

hopes and passions of the distant past. So 
absorbing were these wonderful effects of a 
brilliant light upon the vegetable productions 
of these Florida swamps, that we had forgot- 
ten to look for the cause of this artificial 
glare, but, when we did, we found a faithful 
negro had suspended from cranes two iron 
cages, one on each side of the boat, into which 
he constantly placed unctuous pine-knots, 
that blazed and crackled, and turned what 
would otherwise have been unmeaning dark- 
ness into the most novel and exciting views 
of Nature that ever met our experienced 

eyes. 

The morning came, and the theatrical dis- 
play of the swamp by torchlight ended, when 
we were destined to be introduced to a new 
feature of this singular navigation. A huge 
water-oak, seemingly in the very pride of its 
matured existence, had fallen directly across 
the channel. Its wood was only a little less 
hard than iron, and the labor to be performed 
to get this obstruction out of the way was 
contemplated with anger by the captain of 
our craft, and in sadness by the " hands," to 



126 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

whose lot fell the labor of clearing the ob- 
struction away. However, the order was 
given, and no inhabitant of the swamp is in- 
experienced in the use of the axe. The sturdy 
blows fell thick and fast, as one limb after an- 
other broke loose from the parent trunk and 
floated slowly away. The great butt was then 
assailed, and, by a judicious choice in the as- 
sault, the weight of the huge structure was 
made to assist in breaking it in twain. While 
this work was going on, which consumed some 
hours, we waded — we won't say ashore — but, 
from one precarious foothold to another, un- 
til, after various unpleasant experiences — the 
least of which was getting wet to our waist in 
the black water of the swamp — we reached 
land, which was a few inches above the surface 
of the prevailing flood. 

We were, however, rewarded for our enter- 
prise, by suddenly coming upon two " Florida 
crackers," who had established a camp in a 
grove of the finest cypress-trees we ever saw, 
and were appropriating the valuable timber 
to the manufacture of shingles, which shingles, 
we were informed, are almost as indestructible 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



127 



as slate. These men were civil, full of char- 
acter, and, in their way, not wanting in intel- 
ligence. How they manage to survive the 
discomforts of their situation is difficult to 
imagine, but they do exist ; the mosquitoes 
drawing from their bodies ever}^ useless drop 
of blood, the low swamp malaria making the 
accumulation of fat an impossibility, while the 
dull surroundings of their life, to them most 
monotonous, cramp the intellect, until- they are 
almost as taciturn as the trees with which they 
are associated. But their hut was a very 
model of the picturesque ; and the smoulder- 
ing fire, over which their dinner-pot was cook- 
ing, sent up a wreath of blue smoke against 
the dark openings of the deep forest that gave 
a quiet charm, and a contrast of colors, diffi- 
cult to sufficiently admire, and impossible to 
be conceived of in the mere speculations of 
studio life. 

One of our strangest experiences in these 
mysterious regions was forced upon us one 
morning, when, thrusting our head through 
the hole that gave air to our *' sleeping-shelf," 
we saw a sight which caused us to rub our 



128 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

eyes, and gather up our senses, to be certain 
we were positively awake. Our rude craft 
was in a basin possibly a quarter of a mile in 
diameter, entirely surrounded by gigantic for- 
est-trees, which repeated themselves with the 
most minute fidelity in the perfectly translu- 
cent water. For sixty feet downward we 
could look, and at this great depth see dupli- 
cated the scene of the upper world ; the clear- 
ness of the water assisting rather than inter- 
fering with the vision. The bottom of this 
Dasin was silver sand, studded with pale emer- 
alds, eccentric formations of lime-crystals — a 
bed of white coral in forms and color that re- 
minded us of the cunningly-wrought silver 
baskets of Genoa. This, we soon learned, was 
the wonderful silver spring of which we had 
heard so much, which every moment throws 
out its thousands of gallons of water without 
making a bubble on the surface. 

Procuring a " dug-out," provided with a 
gun, and furnished with our drawing-ma- 
terials, and a lunch that would answer for the 
day, we deliberately proceeded to inform our 
self of the mysteries of the spot. The trans- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



129 



parency of the water was ever a constant won- 
der. A little pearly white shell, dropped from 
our hand, worked its zigzag- way downward, 
becoming in its descent a mere emerald tint, 
until, finding the bottom, it seemed to be a 
gem destined forever to glisten in its silver 
setting. 

Noticing the faintest possible movement on 
the surface of the basin at a certain point, we 
concluded that that must be over the place 
where the great body of the water entered the 
spring. So, paddling to the spot, and wrap- 
ping a stone weighing about eight ounces in 
a piece of white paper, we dropped it into the 
water at the place where the slightly percept- 
ible movement was visible. The stone went 
perpendicularly down for some twenty-five 
feet, until it reached a slight projection of 
limestone rock, where it was suddenly, as if a 
feather in weight, forced upward in a curving 
line some fifteen feet, showing the tremendous 
power of the water that rushes out from the 
rock buried under this bed of burning sand. 
Perhaps the most novel and startling feature 
was when our craft came from the shade into 



130 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

the sunshine, for then, looking over the sides 
of the canoe, we recoiled at the sensation of 
floating in the air. For it seemed as if we 
were, by some miraculous power, suspended 
seventy feet or more in the mid air, while 
down on the. sanded bottom was a sharp, 
clear silhouette of man, boat, and paddle. A 
deep river a hundred feet wide is created by 
the water of this spring, which, in the course 
of seven miles, forms a junction with the 
Ocklawaha, and then continues to run side by 
side for another mile, without mixing its clear, 
pellucid water with the coffee-stained flow of 
the other stream, which, hke most of the riv- 
ers of Florida, is heavily charged vrith alluvial 
and vegetable matter. 

Such are some of the wonders of the land 
discovered by Ponce de Leon. 

INDIAN RIVER. 

The sportsman can charter a Minorcan ves- 
sel at St. Augustine, on reasonable terms, to 
carry him to the famous Indian River ; or, he 
can, if he prefers it, go up the St. John's to 
Enterprise, and so reach the river. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 131 

The following excellent description of 
the Indian River has been wi-itten for this 
work by ** Ziska," of the New York Sun : 

The Indian River is a long, salt-water bay, 
stretching down the eastern coast of Florida 
like the handle of a pen. A strip of sand, 
covered with scrub and cabbage palmettoes, 
separates it from the ocean. Towards the 
mouth this beach is locked in b}^ a chain of 
mangrove islands. From ten yards to ten 
miles wide, and about two hundred miles 
long, the river is as straight as an arrow. Its 
waters reach the ocean through inlets at Fort 
Capron and Jupiter. The river is very shal- 
low, and admits only light-draught sail-boats. 
From Jupiter, during the months of January 
and February, trips can be made into the 
Everglades. Then the water is high ; and^ if 
the tourist has a hght canoe, or even a good- 
sized Whitehall boat, he can move over the 
whole lower part of the peninsula. 

Ten miles from its head, the Indian River 
is joined to Mosquito Lagoon, through an 
old canal dug by the Government during the 
Seminole war. The lagoon is twenty-five 



132 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



miles long, and from three to seven miles 
wide. Hillsborough River connects the la- 
goon with the ocean. It joins the Halifax 
at Mosquito Inlet, a mile north of New 
Smyrna. The Halifax- is navigable within 
twelve miles of the Matanzas. Once on the 
Matanzas, there is clean sailing to St. Augus- 
tine. It is eighty miles from the old Spanish 
city to New Smyrna, and nearly three hun- 
dred to Jupiter. The reader must bear in 
mind that the Hillsborough, Halifax, and 
Indian Eivers are really no rivers at all. 
They are simply salt-water bays, or sounds, 
like those lining the coasts of New Jersey 
and North Carolina. They are too shallow 
for anything but sail-boats. To all practical 
intents and purposes they are but one stream. 
They afford rare sport for sportsmen. Deer 
are numerous at all times. They are smaller 
than our northern deer. Much of the deer- 
hunting is done on horseback. The native 
swamp ponies dash through the palmetto 
scrub with extraordinary swiftness. Many 
deer are shot on the beach. With a good 
guide who knows the drives, the most veri- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. ' 1^3 

table greenhorn may kill an animal. Excel- 
lent guides, dogs, and horses can be procured 
at New Smyrna, Port Orange, and Sand 
Point. In 1873, Mr. A. J. Alexander, of 
Kentucky, killed thirty deer in six weeks 
within six miles of New Smyrna. In 1874, 
Lord Parker, the Earl of Dunraven, and a bro- 
ther of Canon Kingsley, went from the head 
of Indian River down to Jupiter Inlet, hunt- 
ing at various points on the way. I heard 
from them at Merritt's Island, Fort Capron, 
and Jupiter, and am satisfied that they must 
have shot, at least, a score of deer. During 
the same season, Mr. Arthur Benson, Presi- 
dent of the Brooklyn Gas Company, secured 
eight deer in two weeks on the beach in the 
vicinity of Smyrna. It is no exaggeration to 
say that an energetic hunter, with good 
guides and dogs, can average a deer a day at 
nearly any point between the head of the 
Halifax and the mouth of the Indian River. 
Fire-hunting is particularly good. 

Wild-cats are not scarce, and occasionally 
a ferocious puma is killed. The wild-cats 
weigh from eighteen to thirty pounds. The 



134 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

pumas are nearly as large and dangerous as 
royal Bengal tigers. In February and March, 
1874, thirteen wild-cats were killed between 
New Smyrna and the foot of Merritt's Is- 
land. During the latter part of December, 
1873, a puma, weighing over two hundred 
and forty pounds, and measuring nine feet 
four inches from its snout to the tip of its tail, 
was shot but a few miles back of Elbow 
Creek. The skin was purchased by the Man 
Brothers, of Bergen Point, and, I presume, 
graces the parlors of the Argonauta Rowing 
Club. Mr. Armour, keeper of Jupiter light, 
has slain several pumas, and has had some 
narrow escapes. 

Bears are picked up in December, but dur- 
ing January and February they are in Winter 
quarters. In March and April they re-ap- 
pear, and in May they flock to the ocean 
beach in great numbers in search of turtle 
eggs. Nothing can be more inspiriting than 
a moonlight bear-hunt on the beach. The 
bears are the common black and cinnamon 
bears, so well known to hunters in the Rocky 
Mountains. 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



135 



Smaller g-ame, such as coons and opossums, 
and gray, black, and fox squirrels overrun 
the country. Natives scorn to waste their 
powder upon them. The coons and opos- 
sums steal more chickens than the colored 
voters. 

Duck shooting is unsurpassed. In Feb- 
ruary and March the marshes along Mosquito 
Lagoon and Banana Creek are alive with 
these wild fowl. I have seen millions of them 
within a space a mile square. By one shot I 
have killed five different species — teal, mal- 
lard, gray widgeon, baldpates, and the big, 
black EngHsh duck. There are no canvas- 
backs, but I believe all other classes are rep- 
resented. Though a famous place for ducks 
early in the season, Mosquito Lagoon is not 
equal to New Found Harbor. At the latter 
point the sky is fairly peppered, and the 
marshes are paved with them.. Indeed, ducks 
can be found here at almost any season of the 
year. The St. Lucie River is another great 
resort for ducks. Here they feed in the 
coarse manatee grass, in flocks, miles in ex- 
tent. 






136 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

In February and March, New Found Har- 
bor is frequented by clouds of ermine peli- 
cans. These birds are inexpressibly shy. 
They can be approached only at night, and 
even then it is a piece of rare luck to shoot 
one. They roost upon desolate islands and 
peninsulas of sand, where there is no oppor- 
tunity for a hunter's concealment. The 
ermine pelican is of high caste. It will not 
affiliate with a gray pelican, and refuses to 
recognize any other member of the feathered 
tribe. Its plumage is soft and beautiful. 
Opera cloaks, fashioned from the skins, are 
sold at fabulous figures. 

Roseate spoonbills, or " pink curlew," can 
be found as early as March and April; though 
not in large numbers. In March, 1874, Pro- 
fessor Jenckes, of Brown University, discov- 
ered a roost on Ten-Mile Creek, back of Fort 
Capron, and secured twenty fine specimens. 
This rare bird, however, is nearly extermi- 
nated. Their skins bring from ten to twenty 
dollars. Their roosts are ruthlessly destroyed, 
and they are shot without regard to time or 
condition. They lay but two eggs, and no 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 137 

opportunity for increase is afforded. Num- 
bers are killed and thrown aside because of 
imperfections. During Sir Francis Sykes' 
visit to Indian River he sent to England one 
hundred and sixty-eight perfect roseate spoon- 
bills, but it is calculated that he shot over five 
hundred to secure this number. Dr. Wittfeld 
says, that in 1870 he saw hundreds of pink 
curlew feeding in the shallow waters of 
Banana River. In 1871 they had dwindled to 
less than a hundred. In 1872 he counted but 
twenty-seven, and in 1873 but seven, and 
among the latter not one perfect bird. 

Snipe are not plentiful in the vicinity of 
the Indian River. In my two winters' visit I 
saw very few. Guides say I am mistaken ; 
but I choose to write from personal observa- 
tion. Native hunters shoot nothing smaller 
than ducks and turkeys. They would as 
soon shoot a phebe bird as a snipe. 

Quail frequent certain spots in great num- 
bers. The natives call them partridges ; but 
there are no partridges in Florida. 

Wild turkeys are quite thick, especially 
down on Lake Worth. In March they were 



I 38 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

SO noisy down there that I found it impossible 
to sleep after daybreak. Turkeys, however, 
are shrewd birds. A novice will find it much 
easier to kill a deer. Dogs are frequently 
used to tree them, and none but experienced 
hunters bring them in. 

But few alligators are seen on the upper 
Indian River, though they grow to an im- 
mense size on the St. Lucie and Jupiter 
River, and other tributaries. Lake Worth 
and the Everglades are filled with them. It 
is not unusual to find them from twelve to 
fourteen feet in length. Old Captain Dum- 
mitt vouched for one twenty feet long. 

Snowy herons, Spanish curlew, sickle-bills, 
gray pelicans, oyster- birds, shearwaters, ma- 
jors, eagles, snake-birds, ivory-bills, parro- 
quets, doves, chick-wills, men-of-war hawks, 
ibises, ganets, cormorants, and similar birds 
can be shot at every turn. The snowy owl 
and king vulture have been brought down on 
the shore of Lake Worth. The Indian River 
is certainly a paradise for ornithologists. 

Fishing on the Indian River is unsurpassed. 
That great game fish, the channel bass, or red- 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 13^ 

fish, is taken in all its glory. I caught one, at 
the foot of Merritt's Island, weighing forty- 
eight pounds. While staying with Dr. Witt- 
feld, at the mouth of New Found Harbor, I 
took over thirty, none going lower than 
eighteen pounds. One weighed thirty-eight, 
and was exactly four feet long. This was in 
April last. I averaged three of these large 
fish a day. They are caught while still-fish- 
ing, and without "■ chumming." Bass make 
their appearance only in February, and be- 
come numerous as the season advances. The 
largest ones are taken at the foot of Merritt's 
Island. 

New Smyrna is the best fishing-ground for 
sheepshead, grouper, king-fish, etc. The 
grouper is even more gamey than a bass. 
Visitors to Smyrna also meet a fine run of 
bass in February and the Spring months. 
They run from two to twenty pounds. The 
sheepshead fishing is good in December and 
January. Boats, men, and bait can always be 
procured at the hotel. 

Fort Capron is an excellent fishing-ground. 
Indian River Inlet makes in here through a 



140 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

nest of mangrove islands, and fairly swarms 
with fish. Snappers, sheepshead, salt-water 
trout, croakers, bass, and sargeant-fish can be 
caught all the year round. Judge Paine 
entertains travelers in good style, but boats 
and guides should be secured at New Smyrna 
or Sand Point. 

The most notable spot for fishermen is 
Jupiter. The traveler, however, will find no 
accommodations. He must control a guide 
and boat, and camp out. Fish fairly choke 
the inlet. Schools of bluefish, pompino, and 
cavallo lash its waters into a foam. The 
strongest tackle is in momentary danger of 
being carried away. Men absolutely tire of 
working the reel. Their arms swell with the 
continual strain, and what is called sport be- 
comes the hardest kind of work. From 
Jupiter, parties can organize for a menatee 
hunt. These amphibious monsters sometimes 
weigh 2,000 pounds. 

The climate of the Indian River is delight- 
ful. There is but little frost, and below Jupi- 
ter, on the ocean side of Lake Worth, none at 
all. Invalids will find scanty accommodations 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 141 

beyond Sand Point ; but, if they can put up 
with Httle inconveniences, no spot in Florida 
is more healthy. 

Persons owning their own sail-boats had 
better reach the Indian River via New 
Smyrna, which has weekly communication 
with Jacksonville by coast-wise schooners. 
They can ship their boats from Jacksonville 
and go to Smyrna via Enterprise. 

Persons without boats should go direct to 
New Smyrna or Sand Point, where boats and 
guides can be procured. At Port Orange 
and Daytona similar arrangements can be 
made. From personal knowledge, I can rec- 
ommend Dr. Fox, Bartolo C. Pacetti, Frank 
Sams, Dolph Sheldon, and Mr. Lewis as trust- 
worthy guides at New Smyrna. They are 
men who will do what they agree to do. Mr. 
Bostrum, opposite Daytona, is also an excel- 
lent guide. The great trouble with many of 
t:he guides is their inordinate fondness for 
liquor. Guides can also be secured at Sand 
Point; but having never tried them, I could 
not fully vouch for them. Mr. Hammond 
carries parties dow^n to Jupiter and Lake 



142 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



Worth in the largest sail-boat on Indian 
River. He is a gentleman, whose word is as 
good as gold. Guides and boats can be pro- 
cured for three dollars a day. The traveler 
must find the provisions. These he can buy 
in stores at Port Orange, New Smyrna, and 
Sand Point. The guide generally furnishes 
tent, musquito-bars, blankets, and cooking 
utensils ; but it would be well for the sports- 
man to carry his own tent, bars and blankets. 
Let me describe a trip down the river. We 
will say the traveler goes to New Smyrna 
from Enterprise. It necessitates a ride of 
thirty-two miles through the piny woods. 
Hard stories are told concerning the hard- 
ships on the route. I have been over it three 
times, and find it really pleasant. The fare is 
six dollars. The trip is made in from six to 
nine hours, according to the nature of the 
conveyance. New Smyrna boasts an excel- 
lent hotel, kept by Col. E. K. Lowd. Board, 
$3 per day, or $14 per week. After hunting 
and fishing in the vicinity to his heart's con- 
tent, the traveler secures his guide, and starts 
for the Indian River. The wind and tide are 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 143 

fair. Sailing up the Hillsborough, he passes 
Bird Island and the beautiful Sisters. By 
noon he passes the wonderful Turtle Mound, 
a monument of a shadowy age and a lost 
people. It looms upon the horizon like a 
pillar of Hercules. Through the tortuous 
Devil's Elbow the tourist sails into Mosquito 
Lagoon, with its beds of coral and shoals of 
drumfish. The camp of the live-oak cutters 
is well worth a visit. It is in this wilderness 
that the live-oak is obtained for the United 
States navy. Late in the afternoon we ap- 
proach the Haulover, or canal leading into 
the Indian River. The guide points out the 
curious umbrella-tree, which marks the line 
of the canal. Much that is interesting will 
be seen in the Haulover, which is cut through 
the soft coquinarock. Dummitt's magnificent 
orange grove, containing several thousand 
full-bearing trees, is two miles on our left. 
Through the canal, a sail of ten miles brings 
us to Sand Point, where Col. Titus, of Kansas 
and Nicaragua fame, keeps a good hotel. 
Here we rest a day or two. 

The wind being fair, we cross the Indian 



144 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



River, enter Banana Creek, and camp, say at 
Pepper Hammock. Here we find good deer 
and duck shooting, with an occasional wild- 
cat and bear. A week can be spent very 
pleasantly. Hoisting sail again, we enter 
Banana River. The sky is filled with pelicans 
and curlew. We glide past the lovely De 
Soto orange grove, and stop at Burnham's 
celebrated grove. Canaveral light-house is 
five miles distant. It is well worth a visit. 
Once more we are off. Bear Hammock glis- 
tens on the horizon. We sweep round 
George's Island, cross the mouth of New 
Found Harbor, and reach Dr. Wittfeld's. 
Plain, substantial accommodations are fiar- 
nished for $2.50 per day, or $12 per week. 
Hunting and fishing are good. . 

From Wittfeld's the wind wafts us to the 
lower end of Merritt's Island, the finest camp- 
ing-ground in Eastern Florida. The largest 
bass are taken at this point. Here we enter 
Indian River. The scenery is magnificent. 
By noon w^e course past the island known as 
Grant's Farm, and the bluffs of the St. Sebas- 
tian, meet the eye. Here we enter the Indian 



GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 



145 



River Narrows, where the largest oysters in 
the world can be picked up. Twenty miles 
from the Narrows, and we reach Fort Ca- 
pron. Judge Paine furnishes superior ac- 
commodations at $3 per day, or $15 per week. 
Three or four days should be spent fishing in 
the inlet. 

With a good breeze we are off for Jupiter. 
The scenery grows more beautiful. The 
mangrove islands look like great banks of 
arbor vitse, and the palmettoes attain a luxu- 
riance unknown in any other part of Florida. 
As we cross the glorious bay of the St. Lucie, 
Jupiter Narrows, with its wonderful groves 
of mangrove and rubber-trees, bursts upon 
our view. Tropical beauties bloom on all 
sides. The sail through the Narrows un- 
vails captivating novelties. Passing through 
an arch of rubber-trees, we enter Hope 
Sound, and in three hours are at Jupiter. 
We fish and hunt until exhausted ; and then, 
if the traveler is disposed to go further, enter 
the Everglades, and continue our journey to 
Lake Worth, where perpetual summer crowns 
the ever-green fofiage. 



146 GUIDE TO FLORIDA. 

EXCURSIONS. 

From St. Augustine and Enterprise, many 
excursions can be made, with perfect safety, 
into an almost unexplored region abounding 
in fish and game ; and one's time — whether in 
a sojourn of a few weeks, or during an entire 
winter — be most agreeably occupied in Flo- 
rida. 

There are many quite important points in 
Florida, in a business point of view, not 
touched upon in this work; but we believe we 
have here given all that interests the general 
reader, or the seeker after health or recreation 
in relation to Florida. 



FINIS. 




First-Class New-York Built Steamers 




Connect at CHARLESTON and SAVANNAH with the 
New York Steamers and Northern Trains for 



SAVANNAH, 
FERNANDINA, 
JACKSONVILLE, 
St. AUGUSTINE, 



HIBERNIA, 
MA GNOLIA , 
GREEN CO VE Springs, 
PALATKA, 



INCLUDING ALL LANDINGS ON THE ST. JOHN'S RIVER. 

CONNECT AT PALATKA WITH STEAMERS FOR ENTERPRISE, 

MELLONVILLE, SANFORD, AND INDIAN RIVER, ALSO 

WITH STEAMERS FOR THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER. 

A Bufficient number of the Choicest State-Rooms axe reserved for 
Passengers by the NEW "i ORK STEAMERS. 

Passengers will find on these Steamers every comfort and convenience — 
a fii st-class table, and polite and attentive employees. 

For Freight or passage, apply in New York to Agents of Charleston and 

Savannah Steamship Lines. 



Jhe blCJ/lTOll ajid CIJY fOlfiJ . 

have during the Summer been elegantly refurnished, and 
put in the most thorough order, nothing being left un- 
done to provide every comfort and convenience. The 
traveler will bear in mind they land him at the very 
doors of the following hotels, without change of con- 
veyance. 

SAVANNAH. 

PuiiASKE House, Screven House, Pavilion Hotel 
and Marshall House. 

FERNANDINA. 

Rldell House, and numerous BoARDiNa Houses. 

JACKSONVILLE. 

National, St. James' Hotel, Metropolitan Hotel, 
St. John's House, Mrs. Day's, Mrs. Atkin's, Mrs. Stock- 
ton's and Mrs. Bufpington's. 

HIBERNIA. 
Mrs. Fleming's. 

GREEN COVE SPRINGS. 
Union Hotel and Clarendon Hotel. 

THE HOTEL AT MAGNOLIA. 

PALATKA. 

St. John's Hotel and Putnam Hotel. 

At Tocoi landing passengers at the Cars for 
St. Augustine^ taking them direct to St. Augustine 
Hotel, Magnolia House, Florida House, and the 
numerous Boarding Houses of the Ancient City. 

Connecting at Palatka with Steamers taking the 
passengers to Brock's Hotel, Enterprise, and the 
various Boarding Houses at MELLONVILLE. 

By this direct communication the traveler is saved 
great perplexity and trouble. 



nnagb Mmllrmi WMkeU 

TO 

FLORIDA 

RECEIVED ON THESE 

^tectiiqef^ ii\ f^k;yn\ei\t of f^k^^k^e 

AND 
IS MADE 

F'or IMIeauls or Stsite-iRooins. 



An attentive Stewardess is charged with the care of 
LADIES and CHILDREN^ whose duty it is to see 
them provided with every comfort. 

Each Steamer is provided with a well-filled Medicine 
Chesty and the attendants^ accustomed to the wants of 
invalids^ will at all times be found cheerfully to give their 
assistance when called upon. 

These Steamers being heated by Steam^ a pleasant uni^ 
form temperature is maintained during the Winter 
Months in Saloons and State-Rooms, 




Whether pleasure- seekers or invalids^ will find the route 
hy the DICTATOR and CITY POINT the most en- 
joyable and the least expensive j it is the only route by which 
the beautiful scenery of the lower St. John's River can 
be viewed^ with the many points rendered interesting^ as 
the scenes of the earliest settlements on the Continenty and 
of the many bloody struggles between the French and 
Spaniards. 

Those traveling with invalids — ladies or children^ will 
particularly appreciate the trouble and anxiety avoided^ by 
being carried direct to their destination without several 
times having to shift bag gage ^ etc., etc. 

The steamers are of the safest description^ especially 
adapted to the service — fitted with every comfort and con- 
venience— ^clean^ comfortable State Rooms ^ a table provided 
with every luxury of the Charleston^ Savannah and Flor- 
ida markets^ and equal to that of any first-class hotel. 

The DICTATOR and CITY POINT are com- 
manded by officers who have spent their lives in the 
Florida trade, and they, as well as all the employees on the 
Steamers, will take pleasure in giving every information 
to visitors, and to those intending to settle in Florida, 

Goods and Packages will be forwarded by the Agents, 
free of commission. 

3EiA.T^E]VEIL. *& OO., ^g-emtss, 

Charleston, South Carolina. 







TAKE THE GREAT 



SOUTHERN FREIGHT, 



AND 



PASSENGER «INE, 

FOR CHARLESTON, S. C, 



ANB THE 



Sailing from Pier 29, North Eiver, at 3 p. m., every 

TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY. 

Through Passage Tickets and Bills of Lading issued at lowest rates. 



FOR LOCAL FREIGHT AND PASSAGE TO ALL POINTS, 

APPLY TO 

JAMES W. QUINTARD & CO., 

ITT West Street, cor. Warren. 

FOR THROTJGH FREIGHT TARIFF AND RATES 

APPLY TO 

BENTLEY D. HASELL, 

General Agent Great Southern Freight Line, 
317 BROADTl^Air. 



The Magnificent Side- Wheel Steamships 



MANHA TTAN, . . 


M. S. Woodhull, Commander, 


CHAMPION, . . 


R. W, Lockwood, " 


CHARLESTON, . . . 


James Berry, " 


JAMES ADGER, , , 


T. J. Lockwood, ** 


GEORGIA, . . . 


Holmes, *« 


SOUTH CAROLINA, . 


Crowell, •• 



I<ekve ]\few Yofk fof dlqkfle^toii, 0. d., 




^T 3 P'cLock: f*. jVL., from J^iep^ 29 ]N[. ^. 

connecting with the Charleston and Florida steamships "DICTATOE" and 
CITY POINT" for Jacksonville, St, Augustine, and other points in 

Florida. 
This i_a the shortest and pleasantest sea route. Travelers have the option 

of remaining in Charleston at their convenience, and reviewing the historic 




and other points of interest in and around Charleston. These steamships 
also connect with the trains on the South-Carolina Eailroad for AIKEN, 
S. C, AUGUSTA, Ga., and all points south. 

THEOTTGH TICKETS TO ALL POINTS IN FLORIDA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEOBQIA, 

ALABAMA, AND TENNESSEE MAT BE OBTAINED AT THE OFnCB 

OF THE NEW TORK AGENTS. 

JAMES W. QUINTARD & Co., JAMES ADGER & CO., 

117 West St., Cor. Warren. Agents at Charleston, S. Carolina. 



^^%m ^'oUVSi^ilK I'iJi^K^fiV 




AND 







VIA 

SAVANNAH, Go., 



POB 



F Is @ m 1 B ^ 

AND ALL 

rOINTS in the SOUTH and SOUTH-WEST. 



f 



One of the following First-ClasB Steamships will sail every other day as 
follows, — punctually at 3 o'clock, p. m. : 

EVEKY TUESDAY, 

From Pier 1 6, E. E., foot of Wall St., 

I<1^0 k Vli{(^0, of MtiA'^yV I<iiie, 

Murray, Ferris & Co., Agents, 61 and 62 South St. 

EVERY THURSDAY, 

From Pier 43, N. R. 

EVERY SATURDAY, 

From Pier 43, KR. 

0S]\r 0Si<vsf)of{ & 0SK jSdi>r¥o, 

W. R. Garrison, Agent, 5 Bowling Green. 



Making close connections at Savannah, with Central R. R., Ga ; 
Atlantic and Gulf R. R., and Steamboats for St. John's River and 
Florida. 



^^^^AMM.BmD&^^ 



lyl ^fe (1| 



WUB§W mMS9g Bte. 

"No. 201 East Bay Street, Charleston, S. C, 

AND 

No. 8 Whitaker Street, Savannah, Ga. 




^QS^I^^^^O-]iy^- ^^^oliiik. 



This well-known and popular first-class Hotels situat- 
ed in the Centre of the City, and also in the centre of 
the Wholesale Business Houses^ affords facilities, com- 
forts and attention to Travelers for pleasure, and 
Merchajits on business, second to no7ie in the United 
States. 

Having been recently thoroughly repaired and newly 
ftirnished throughout, the Proprietor pledges himself to 
spare no pains in its management to maintain the high 
reputation heretofore enjoyed by the old CHAKIjESTON 
as a first-class house. 

E. H. JACKSON, Prop'r. 



Gerieral Railway amd Steamship Ticket Office. 
Through Tickets sold by Rail to all points in the 
United States, and by Rail or Steamship to Baltimore, 
Pliiladelpliia and New York. 

A. BUTTERFIELI), General Ticket Agent, 

CHARLESTON HOTEL. 



Pkrilioq Sotel, 

CHAKLESTOIf, S. C. 



This house, having been newly furnished and painted 
throughout, and having the Celebrated Artesian Water 
introduced on every floor, is now open for the reception 
of guests. The apartments are spacious, well ventilated, 
and thoroughly adapted to the comfort of the traveling 
public. 

Artesian Baths having been established in connec- 
tion with this house, makes it particularly desirable for 
iNYAiiLDS, and the traveling public generally. 

The proprietors have spared neither trouble nor ex- 
pense in making this house equal to any of its size in 
the South, and trust, by strict attention, to merit a share 
of public patronage. 

A FniST-CiiAss Livery Stable is connected with the 
Hotel, and Om.nibuses and Carriages for the conveyance 
of passengers, will be in attendance at all the Steamboat 
Landings and Kail-road Depots. 

GEO. T. AL.FORD & CO., Proprietors. 



25;9 



^ 




Hti^rlg 



<Vi 



\m%t, 



■fi 






,^-^T, 



ENLARGED, IMPROVED, AND REFURNISHED. 



Favorable rates made to parties remaining' one week or more. 
^ No. 284 KING STREET, ^ 



Next to Masonic Temple, 



Charleston, S. C. 



domfoi^tkble ^ooiq^ 



AKD 



^^ l{x6ellent ¥kble. 



BOARD $2.00 PER DAY. 



S^ANCY G^OODS 



AND 



¥0Y 




AZAAR, 



Oliarleston^ S. O. 

The largest and most beautiful collection of Rich Fancy 
Goods, for 

teJJipg, Kftliday aiid holiday ffe^ept?. 

Toys, Dolls, In and Out-door Games, China- Ware, Children's 
Carriages, French Confectionery, Prize-boxes, Fire-Works, 
etc. India Rubber Goods, such as Clothing, Nursery, 
Sheeting, etc. 

df o(|uet G^ctme^, from $1^ ti|) to $^5 

I>BIi SET. 



Price Lists sent on application. Orders respectfully 
solicited. Address 

FRED VON SANTEN, 

2S5 King Street, 

(Opposite Masonic Temple.) CHARLESTON, S. O. 



PULASKI HOUSE, 

Johnson Square^ 

SAVANNAH, GA., 
Facing South, with a Frontage of 27 S Feet. 

S. N. PAPOT & Co., Proprietors. 



This well-known hotel, which has always been considered 
the leading hotel in Savannah, and one of the best in the 
South, is pleasantly located in the central portion of the city, 
on Johnson Square, with a southern front, which is a matter 
of no small importance in this climate. In consequence of the 
death of the late proprietor. Major W. H. Wiltberger, the 
hotel has fallen into the hands of Messrs. S. N. Papot & Co. 
and the new proprietors have made many changes and im- 
provements. The whole house has been thoroughly painted 
inside and out, and otherwise renovated ; and such alterations 
have been made in the interior arrangements as must add to 
its attractions and conduce to the comfort of the guests. 

At this hotel every convenience is offered to the traveling 
public in the way of Ticket Office for all the Railroads and 
Steamboats ; Telegraph Office, etc., and here also Sleeping- 
car tickets can be procured. The table is furnished with the 
best meats, poultry, and game to be procured in the Boston, 
New York, and Baltimore markets, and our corps of cooks is 
unsurpassed by any in the country. 

If kind and courteous treatment, comfortable rooms, and a 
good table offer any inducements to our friends going South, 
either for health, pleasure, or business, we think we can safely 
recommend them to patronize the Pulaski during their sojourn 
in Savannah. 

S. N. PAPOT & CO. 



SCEEYEN HOUSE 

R. BRADLEY, Proprietor. 
SavsLiiiigilij Oeorgisi. 



This long and favorably known house is situated in Johnson 
Square, a most desirable, convenient, and pleasant location, and 
has just been thoroughly renovated, repaired, and repainted, 
and its organization in all its departments being complete. 
The table at all times being supplied w^ith the best that the 
northern and home markets afford, which, with first-class 
Billiard and Bar Rooms, Barber Shop and Bathing Saloons, 
with polite' and efficient attendants, render it a strictly first- 
class house, not surpassed by any in the Southern States. 

Those who have patronized, are assured that it is kept up 
to its past standard ; those who have not are invited to do so, 
with the assurance that every thing possible will be done for 
their comfort. 

Particular attention will be given to letters and telegrams 
for reserved rooms, or to securing sleeping berths in R.R. Cars, 
or State-Rooms on Steamers. Comfortable omnibusses and 
carriages from the house will be found at all arriving Steamers 
and Trains. 

Through passengers should take the Screven House 
Omnibusses. 

R« BRADLEY, Proprietor. 



1 



J 




Mm«< 



Q§llmilm Q 



'§© 



or 



D. G. AMBLER 



J^^^sonrilie' 



SEALEB IN 



o^ 



XCHANGE, f TOCKS, JoNDS, ^OTY.^\ 











Special Attention given to Investments for Capitalists! 



Ii\tei^e^t Allowed oi\ ©epo^it^. 



Visitors to Florida afforded every possible facility. 
Drafts on Northern Cities cashed on favorable terms. 
Every information cheerfully afforded the Tourist or 
Invalid as to the various Winter J^esorts of Florida — 
routes of travel, etc., etc. Our files of Northern papers 
may at all times be consulted. 



THE 



^T. JAMES SOTELi 

(Fronting St. James Park^ 

OPEN FKOM NOVEMBER TO MAY. 



^^^\irJS St. Tames Hotel has accommodations for ^oo 

iflf 1 1(0 

\I^^ guests. Its location is the finest in Florida. A new 

^»^ ^r^^^ wing^ no feet by /^6 feet, three stories high, 

with spacious parlors on the first-floor, and large airy 

sleepifig rooms with fire place in each, on the second and 

third floors, has been added during the past Summer. The 

entire house has been refurnished in first-class style with 

sofa-spring beds and best hair mattresses. 

Families and others seeking the delightful climate of 

Florida will find the St. James a comfortable home for 

the winter. 

J. R. CAMPBELL & J. N. ANDREWS, 

GENERAL MANAGERS. 



'AiroiAi lifit 



JAOHSOITVILLB. 



^DeOKGK ^ct^INLKY, ^KOPKIXTOK. 



The National, recently completed is now 
open for the reception of guests. Its situa- 
tion is unrivalled, commanding a magnificent 
view of the St. John's River,- and convenient to 
the steamer landings and railroad depot. 

Visitors will find here every comfort, large, 
finely furnished, and well-ventilated apartments, 
and an excellent table. 

Bath rooms, billiard room, livery stable, etc., 
attached to hotel. In fact, every requisite of a 
first-class house. 

GEORGE McGINLEY, Proprietor. 



"VIetropolitan Sotel, 




Suilt of Bfidk, — jVew ¥l\fou^out. 

I^loridaI^and Agency, 

Jacksonville, Fla, 
C. L. ROBINSON, Proprietor. 



Attorney at Law. — Commissioner U. S. Circuit 

Court. — Special Commissioner U. S. Court 

Claims. — Publisher " Florida Land 

Kegister." 



:^t. JoW:^ Sou^e, 



JACKSOJ^VILLE, Fla. 



Mrs. E. HUBNAIili, Proprietress. 



MRS. BUFFINGTON, 




^^^ -^^w --^ 




JACKSONVILLE^ FLA, 



GUESTS WILL FIND EVERY COMFORT. 



cademy of St. Joseph, 



MOTHET^ SIDOISriEPt, Sup. 

♦ — ♦■ 

The Sisters of St. Joseph have a separate house for 
the accommodation of persons desiring to spend the 
winter. 




MRS. S. E. DAY, 



tTACKSOTfriLLE, FLA. 



mmm 



FORSYTH STREET. 





rfirkte Sokfdii) 



J 



AT 



Mrs. A. V. C. ATKIWSj 

MONROE STREET, 1st Doorfrom Market St., 

JACKSONVILLE, EAST FLOMIBA. 

MRS. STOCKTON, 



JACKSONVILLE, Fla. 



5"^ T O G ATI 





DEALER IN FOREIGN 



IMPORTER OF FINE 






Excursio7t Parties fitted out with every requisite for 
extended trips to the Interior. 



Proprietor of the Metropolitan Billiard Saloon, where 
visitors will find tables of the celebrated makers, both 
Pocket and Carom. Liquors of our own importation 
furnished at the bar. 

The large Hall in the building can be secured on rea- 
sonable terms for Concerts, Theatrical Representations, 



etc., etc. 



J. B. TOG^ISri. 



C. B. McCLENNY'S STABLES 

Jacksonville, Fla., 

OPPOSITE SAINT JAMES' & METEOPOLITAN HOTELS. 

hUM C/ltihl/l(it?, Ot^t)! & CLOjt, 

To Ziet, with Careful 2>rirers, 

Horses, Buggies & Saddle-Horses 

FFRNISHED AT THE SHORTEST NOTICE. 
Omnibuses, Hacks and Baggage Wagons meet aU Boats and Trains. 

Special attentioli paid to orders left at either Stable 
for Passengers or Baggage. 



DAMON GREENLEAF, 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., 

DEALER IN 

totclie3, clock, Jewelry, ?oliil jilVer, 

AJSD 

i 
Watches, Clocks and Jewelry Repaired & Warranted. 

FLORIDA CURIOSITIES. 



Do not fail while in Florida, to visit Greenleaf s 
Museum of Florida Curiosities, connected with Grreen- 
leaf's Jewelry Store, opposite the Market. 

Constantly on hand, the largest stock in the State of 

ea Beans, mounted in every style; Alligator Heads, 

Alligator Teeth, carved and mounted; Orange, Royal 

Palm, Palmetto, Break-axe, Mangrove, and other Canes. 

Pink Curlew Wings, Egret and Heron Plumes; Fla- 
mingo and Fawn Plumes ; Sea SheUs and Coral ; Alligator 
Eggs, etc., etc. 

Sole Agent for the celebrated Bahamian Shell- Work. 



f)RY AND J^ANCY G^OODS. 



PUROHGOTT, BENEDICT & OO.'S 



KNOWN AS THE 



Vl[Q ii\o^t "beautiful ki\(i fii\e^t ^tof e ii\ tl^e 0tkte. 

Jg^T STBJEET^ Jacksonville^ Ma. 

Brancli of CHAKLESTON HOUSE, 275 King St. 

New York OflRce, 86 Leonard Street. 

^almx:tto ^ats, 



Carpets and Matting, a Specialty. 



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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., 

Hardware, 

Iron and Steel, 

Edge Tools, 

Table and Pocket Cutlery, 

Nails, Glue, 

Putty, Glass, 
Paints, Oils, 

Leather Belting, 

Rubber Packing, 

Stoves, Tinware, 

Crockery, Pumps 

^m&M &MW) m%m m^m, 

DOORS, SASHES, BLINDS, MOULDINGS, SUGAR MILLS, 
EVAPORATORS, ETC. 



Cras Fitting, Roofing, Jobbing, and Tin Smltliing 
done to Order. 



E. F. "WEBSTER & CO., 



DRUGGISTS & APOTHECARIES, 



SIQI^ ''QOLBEN MORTAM:' 



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jr^C£:soj\rrizzjEj, ipzo^ida.. 



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Persons, visiting Jacksonville, in need of pure 
Drugs and Medicines, fine Brandy, Wines, and 
other Liquors, Fancy Goods, Toilet Articles, 
fine Brushes, fine Soaps, fine Eau de Cologne, 
Florida Water, Rose Water, Orange-flower 
Water, Pomades, and every thing usually kept in 
a first-class Drug Store, — are invited to call, and 
look at our stock. The Compounding of Pre- 
scriptions made a Specialty. Satisfaction prom- 
ised in all cases. 



RATHER „ 



WHOLBSALE AND RETAII. 






Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Savannah 
Daily Papers, also all the latest Magazines and 

Periodicals constantly on hand. 

Parties visithig Florida can leave their subscriptions 
with us, for any length of time, and the same will be 
promptly forwarded to any point accessible by mail. 

Guide Books, Railway Guides and Pocket Maps 
hi great variety. 

Call and examine our stock before purchasing elseivhere. 



THE OLD RELIABLE 

BROCK'S LINE OF STEAMERS, 



EmojiNG bet"w:een 



ON THE 

ST. JOHIV'S mVEIi, FLORIDA. 



THE NEW AND "^I^BGANT PASSENGER STEAMER 



Leaves JACKSONVILLE daily (except Sundays) for PALATKA and 
all Intermediate Points, and connecting with Steamers for ENTER- 
PRISE, CLAY SPRINGS, SALT LAKE, DUNN»S LAKE, and points 
on the OCKLAWAH A RIVER. At TOCOI with ST. JOHN'S RAIL- 
ROAD for ST. AUGUSTINE, ejid returning to JacksonviUe same 
evening in time to connect with all Northern Trains. 

THE FAVORITE STEAMERS 

"f)Sf{i<l>[G[¥oK" M^ "S^.¥¥i^'' 

Leave JACKSONVILLE on Sundays and "Wednesdays at 9 a. m., 
Running through to Enterprise, and stopping at all principal 
points on the River. 

The Old Reputation of this Popular Line will be fully 

sustained, and every Comfort Guaranteed 

to its Patrons. 

JACOB BROCK, Ag:ent, 

Jacksonville, Fla* 



M i^]i.M\^i PtLLOpVlLlt, 

AND 

11 I^kudin^^ or\ ^t. Jol\i\'^ i^ivef. 



THE 
FAVORITE AKB SFLEXBIT) STEAMER. 




Captain L. M. COXETTER, 

LEAVES JACKSONVILLE EVERY 



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#111 'S 



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ALL INTERMEDIATE LANDINGS on the St. JOHN'S JIIYEB. 



The Starlight has recently been th j roughly overhauled^ 
supplied with new boilers and refurnis v d^ and is now in 
splendid order, offejHng the most agreeable means of reach- 
ing points on the 

Uppef ^t. Jol^i^V, Ii\diki\ kr|d Odav^al^k f^ivei% 

Her passenger accommodations a7'e unsurpassed, and 
her table first- class. 

Close communication made with the Charleston and 
Savannah Stea??iers. For full information apply to 

GEO. E. FOSTEK, Ageut, JacksouFiUo. 



HENRY A. L'ENGLE, 

GRADUATED 

PlAllAClIflSf, 

Cof. 8ky k.i\d I^kufk ^tfeet^, 



JACKS GI^ VI LL,E. 



^» »■ 



Go to the Corner of Bay and Laura Streets^ where you 
will find a good stock of 



CHEMICALS, 

PATENT MEDICINES, PERFUMERY, TOILET 
ARTICLES, 

FINE WINES AND LIQUORS, ■ 

FOR IfEDICINAL PURPOSES. 

JFhysicians Prescriptions accurately prepared at all hours 
of the day and night. 



d^tQi\Aoi\ SotL^e, 



GBEEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. 

ON THB 
ST. JOHN'S RIVER, 

Daily Mail and two daily Steamers from Jacksonville 
to Green Cove. 



Belonging to this house, and within loo ft. of it, is the 
Green Cove Warm Sulphur Spring, discharging 3,000 
gallons per minute, of temperature 78°. 

This water is highly valuable in its medicinal qualities, 
in the following diseases. Rheumatism — Gout — Scrof- 
ula — Dyspepsia — Paralysis — Neuralgia — all Nervous 
Affections — Erysipelas, and all Eruptive Diseases — 
Kidney Disorders, and General Debility. 

Lax^e additions have been made, during the past 
season, to the Bathing facilities. The Baths and Dressing 
Rooms now occupy a space 200 ft. long by 50 ft. wide. 

The house is supplied with water from the Spring, by 
means of water power. 

HARRIS, APPLEGATE & CO., Proprietors. 



Mrs. FLEMHsTG, 
HIBERNIA, on the St. JOHN'S RIVER, 

25 MILES ABOVE JACKSONVILLE, 

PRIVATE BOARDING HOUSE. 

A most delightful place for visitors from the 

North. 



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COVE S 



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THE CELEBRATED SULPHUR AND MINERAL SPRINGS 



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OPEN WINTER AND SUMMEK. 



WB» esIFni'I^» Frapftetor, 



These Springs are situated thirty miles above Jackson- 
ville; daily communication. 




H. L. TIJ^lEirP, Proprietor* 



The Putnam House has during the past 

Summer been put in thorough order, and an 

addition built containing forty comfortable rooms. 

The favorable reputation of the house will be 

maintained " by the present proprietors, who 

promise nothing shall be left undone for the 

comfort of their guests. 

H. L. HART. 



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PAIiATKA, East Florida. 

P. & H. PETERMAN, Proprietors. 



■ ^>»- 



This Hotel is newly furnished throughout 
A fine Billiard Room in connection with house, 
and guests will find everything for their 
comfort. 

N. H. MORAGNE, M. D., 

ymOLESALE & BET AIL 

DRXJ&GMST. 

PAL.ATKA, EAST FI.ORIDA. 

J",A.1S^E:S BURT, 



tat© 4g^im 



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taIjATKa, east flobida. 



FOR THE 



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The fine Steamers of the Hart Line connect 
at Palatka with the Charleston and Savannah 
Steamers, leaving on their arrival 



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These boats have been put in good order and 
two fine new steamers added to the line, so that 
passengers will find on board every comfort and 
a good table. By this route they visit the most 
remarkable and most beautiful River of Florida, 
the celebrated Silver Spring, and the noble Lakes 
Harris and Eustace. 

Sportsmen will find game abundant on the 
whole route. For full information apply to 




Situated six miles from Silver Springs^ 
where a conveyance meets every boat on the 
Oclawaha River, 

This house is pleasantly situated in the 
flourishing town of Ocala^ encircled by pine 
groves, and acknowledged by the faculty as 
one of the m-ost desirable winter resorts for 
invalids. Comfortable rooms and a good table 
ftirnished at moderate prices, 

E. I. HAKRIS, Proprietor. 




^^fiRPKis:^ 



yril/jE Brock House ^ beautiftdly situated 
on the shore of Lake Mtmroe^ will be 
found by Invalids^ Tourists and Sportsmen 
to co7nbine every requisite for healthy comfort^ 
and enjoyme^it. 

The rooms are large and comfortable, and 
the table excellent, 

Sple7idid boatings fishing and hunting^ in 
the immediate vicinity of the Hotel, 

Arrangements can be here Tnade for con- 
veyances to Smyrna^ Indian River y etc, 

JACOB BROCK, Proprietor. 



'\iELLONVILLE HoUSE, 




»> ^ » » (i 



This Hotels commanding a splendid view of Lake 
Munroe, offers to the traveling public excellent accommoda- 
tions at reasonable prices. Surrounded by Groves of 
Pines, its advantages for invalids cannot be surpassed. 

Every facility for boatings huntings fishings and excur- 
sions to the Orange Groves and Mineral Springs of the 
neighborhood. 

All Steamers on the St. John^s stop at the Hotel land- 
ings going and coming. 



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f In If ft 4 ffe OT il If ^^ W 

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This House has been put in comfortable 
order, and is ready to receive permanent and 
transient visitors. 

First-class beds and a " Cuisine]'' in every 

respect unexceptionable. 

Meals furnished at any hour at short 

notice. 

CHARLES THOMAS, I^essee. 



—^n^mmime 





FRONTING THE 

PLAZA AND SEA \VALL. 



^«» 



The St, Augustine Hotels commanding a 
view .of the bay and ocea7i^ occupies the most 
desirable location in St, Augustine, 

The reputation of the house as a first- 
class family hotel will be maintained by the 
present proprietors, and no effort be spared to 
provide every comfort to the traveler. 



THE 



.Ma2:nolia Hotel 



ST. GEORG£ STREET, 

St. Augustine, Florida. 




-/^r/f//f-'<^-^' 



W. W. PALMER, - - - - Proprietor. 

{Laie HOUGHTON' & PALMES-.) 

This favorite Hotellias been completely Eenovated, internally anl ex- 
t rnally, and now presents unsuri)assed accommodation ■ for TOU JUSTS 
and INVALIDS. Single rooms and family apartments, en suite. The 
cuisine is in every respect unexceptionahle. T'.e ?Tlaa:n' lia «tav,d'T npon 
the highest ground in the city, and commands a fine view of the ocean 



ORIENTAL HOUSE, 



^iirl®: 



i®rii ®f Pimm. 



St. AUGUSTINE, Fla. 



On the European Plan, 

$1 a day for occupying Room. 



This Hotel is entirely newly furnislied, is Fibst Class, and about two 
minutes' walk from Central Pier and Post Office. Eestaurant for Ladies and 
Gentlemen attached to Hotel. 

W. G. PONCE & Co., Proprietors. 

T. A. PACETTI, 

GRADUATED 



llAOlIIIil 



St. Augustine Hotel^ 

St. AUGUSTINE, Fla. 



~4I9I*~ 



Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, Perfumery, etc. Speci- 
alty — fine old Liquors, viz., Brandy, Whiskey, Wines, 
etc. ; also, Cigars. 



J^LORIDA Bouse, 



JIE Florida House ^ which all visitors to St. Aug- 



i 






ustine will remember^ from its agreeable location 
^^ '' and cheerful appearance — situated on St. George s 
Street^ has undergone most important changes the past 
summer. A wing has been added on St. George's St., con- 
taining seventy large, well-ventilated and cheerful rooms, 
and the whole house has been renovated and refurnished 
throughout. 

Guests will find the table in every way worthy of a 
first-class hotel, and the proprietor promises entire satis- 
faction to visitors. 

The house will be heated throughout and gas and other 
convemences furnished in every room. 

I. H. REMER, Proprietor. 




^^sTby & ballar 



A 



if, 6§§iFe§i Sl.f ®f« MsgBBilas 




DEALERS IN 



AAT A T C H E S, 

Jev/elry, Clocks, Plated-Ware, 
Cutlery and Spectacles, . 



OB 



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MIQ}] 






• AND 



kOl]lt)|l GlllllO^II 



Sea Shells, Sea Beans, and Alligator Teeth, 



EANDSOMEL T CAB YED and MO UNTED. 



Corals, Bird Plumes, Feathers, Floivers, Palm 
Work, Coquina Ornaments and Walking Canes, tn 
great variety. 

St. GEOHOE ST., St. Augustine, Fla. 



JD. J. L O F E Z, 



DEAIiER IN 



§11! 



Fine Toilet Soaps, Brushes, Combs, etc. Fancy 
Articles, Perfumery in great variety, and pure 
Wines and Liquors, for Medicinal Purposes 
only. 

N. B. — Physicians, Prescriptions carefully Compounti- 
ed. Foot of Central Wharf, opposite the St. Augustine 
Hotel. 

St. AUGUSTINE, Fla. 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALER IN 

FURNITURE, HARDWARE, 

«WlNES, filQUORS, 



CHARLOTTE STREET, St. Augustine, E. Fla. 



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